May 2012 Borah Senator by Borah Senator

THE BORAH

SENATOR

Volume 52 Issue VI May 22, 2012 6001 Cassia St. Boise, ID 83709 borahsenator.com

Read a review about the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Avengersâ&#x20AC;? movie. Page 12

A wrap up of all sports awards Borah received this year. Page 16

Senior cover artist Jocelyn Schelske uses a variation of media for her artwork Page 3

Dedicated to the class of 2012 of Borah High School

Letters to the Editor

The Borah Senator May 22, 2012

A final goodbye to the Borah Senator

Dear Borah High School,

The time has dwindled down to a mere three days before I walk out the doors, along with the rest of the class of 2012, and never return as a student to Borah High School. I recognize what I will be leading on to, the great future ahead, but I must take some time to dwell on my past at Borah, my past with the Borah Senator. It has been a great three years that I must sum up in three days. The first place to begin is my adventure through my newspaper career. I need to and want to thank anyone and everyone who has contributed to the success of the Borah Senator. Without you, the students, teachers, and concerned letter to the editor writers, our newspaper would be nothing. We would have no stories, no feedback, no way to function. So

my deepest amount of appreciation is distributed to you, the people. Next, and by far the most important thanks I have is for my wonderful staff. This has been the best year ever in newspaper. My staff is made up of a variety of people. But somehow we all blend into a great group. People who come in for interviews have always stated what a great atmosphere we have. It is true. There is never a dull moment, never a moment of anger or complete frustration. If we are down to the wire we all work together. We are always full of giggles and laughter. We have become a family, and I can honestly say I will miss every single one of them greatly. This opportunity to lead would never have been possible without Mrs. Harmon as our adviser and she is so helpful and active in getting us secure for our future. And my amazing asso-

Senator Staff

Editor in Chief: Kristin Bracewell Senior Associate Editor: Justin Kirkham Junior Associate Editor: Savannah Harrelson Art Editor: Rochelle Rathamone Photographers: Kristin Bracewell, Korey Combs, Madisen Gerber, Emilee Rivers Text Editors: Kristin Bracewell, Justin Kirkham, Savannah Harrelson Ad Manager: Brittni Hanrahan Public Relations Manager: Ari Anchustegui Page Editors Front Cover: Kristin Bracewell Staff Page: Aline Meyer Artist Bio: Brittni Hanrahan News: Grace Gibney, Cami Girardi Opinion: Kristin Bracewell Life: Carlee Parsley Spread: Justin Kirkham A&E: Justin Kirkham, Sara Rostron Q&A: Kristin Bracewell assisted by Brittni Hanrahan Trends: Ari Anchustegui Sports: Savannah Harrelson JV Sports: Riley Tidmarsh Photo Essay: Korey Combs, Rochelle Rathamone Fun and Games: Jacob Horton Illustrators: Andrea Batten, Andrew Adams, Sara Rostron Graphic Designers: Rochelle Rathamone, Justin Kirkham Writers: Bradley Burgess, Jaynee Nielsen Web Editor: Grace Gibney assisted by Brittni Hanrahan Videographers: Zackery Thomas, Riley Tidmarsh, Sara Rostron, Cami Girardi Adviser: Michelle Harmon

ciate editors. First off Justin Kirkham, who has been a presence in my life since elementary. He is a quiet presence that we could not function without. He has such a way with words and always sounds so eloquent; he will go far with his writing, and I am so proud I can say he was my trusted associate. And secondly, the person I trust most in newspaper, and who I am happily handing this role over to is my apprentice and dear friend Savannah Harrelson. Watch out Borah, she will be a big deal next year and I have no doubt this paper will show great improvement in her hands. She has a great eye for design and a great personality and it will show in the paper next year. Though I have a lot of advice and great desire to pass on any knowledge I have about high school to the next

class I do not have the time to say all on my mind. But there are two important aspects. First is be involved. Common saying but all too true. High school is supposed to be the time to experience it all and have a great time. So get out, get involved, do something. My second piece of advice is to live it up. Be adventurous, not timid. Be happy, not scared. Live high school to its fullest. Next year will be different. There will be many changes to the school, and to the Borah Senator. But one thing is for sure: you, the next class, will make a difference. High school is a great opportunityto shine. Grasp hold of that chance. Congrats seniors, you have successfully finished high school! By Krisin Bracewell Editor in Chief Borah Senator 2011-2012

The Borah Senator May 22, 2012

Artist Bio

Student artist uses variety of media

By Ari Anchustegui

“Art is wherever your mind takes you,” said senior artist and photographer Jocelyn Schelske. Her abilities come so naturally to her, she said, that art has become somewhat of a ”second skin.” She is in Photo 2 and AP Studio Art 2D. She previously took Panting 1, Advanced Painting and Art 2 courses. She said art has been an active element in her life since childhood; and described it as something that slowly develops inside of a person. Influenced by her mother, she now draws inspiration from quotes, poetry and especially social and global issues. She has created multiple pieces about Africa, and said, “I look for extreme cases of things that stir emotion.” Schelske often has trouble picking between photography and painting. “When I’m painting I’m in a whole ‘nother universe,” she said. “It also fascinates me that I can look through a lens and see a whole different world as well.” She compared painting to an old best friend that she will always adore, yet photography is more of a technological commodity.. “I’m excited to explore it and see what depth I can go to.” She perceives herself as an expressive artist. “I am often lost for words, but the truth is revealed in my art,” said Schelske. She has shown pieces in the BSU Art Exhibition, Valley Visions, the Steven’s Henager Exhibit. And, she has received the Scott Robert Jones Memorial Art Scholarship for $500, the Capital City Kawinis for $1,000, and three academic scholarships from The University of Idaho that total $2,500. Art teacher Jen Compton said Schelske’s has the ability to work with an array of media. “She’s got a wide breath of ability, and she is very focused on her goals,” said Compton. When producing art, Schelske is entirely focused, and nearly “in a trance.” Her intensive eye photo design was molded from a shot of Senior Zackery Thomas’s eye. She enhanced the photo and hue in Adobe Photoshop’s special effects. She then copy and pasted into it pieces of a waterfall photo she had taken. After dabbling with colors and moving pieces around, she pasted strips of the original frame and fragmented them together. Her goal was to enhance the obscurity of the image while keeping a human-esque feel. “I felt like I was dissecting his eye, and peeling it apart,” she said laughingly . “In AP art you have to be capable of taking something simple and expanding on it.” Senior Kyle Hines, a friend of Schelske’s said

Photo by Korey Kombs

there is truth in her art. “ She doesn’t limit her focus to one area,” he said. “ It’s interesting to go through it all and never know what’s going to happen next.” Schelske will attend The University of Idaho in the fall to double major in Art and Psychology. She hopes to become a child psychologist, while specializing in art therapy and possibly owning a photography business on the side. “Art will be a big part of my life,” she added. “I anticipate inspiring others, and hope my artwork speaks to other people.”

The Borah Senator May 22, 2012

Artist Bio

Student artist uses variety of media

By Ari Anchustegui

Photo by Korey Kombs

News

The Borah Senator May, 22 2011

Students recognized for achievement

Art, Senator’s Choice, JROTC produce outstanding end-of-year award winners By Grace Gibney

With the school year coming to a close, many Lions stick out from the herd, both academically and skillfully. Numerous students were recognized with awards from various areas of Borah’s campus. The Senator’s Choice Assembly on April 23 recognized students for their leadership abilities and academic excellence. Counselors and staff nominated students for the award. Junior Kristian Gomez is one of 30 recipients of the Senator’s Choice Award. “It was kind of nice to be nominated. I got my nomination on the last day they were handing them out, so I went home and showed mom and dad,” said Gomez.” Then the day of the assembly I saw my uncle and cousin walking around on the floor. Everyone knew I had won and I was in the dark. It was a bit of a surprise.” Borah’s staff acknowledges students who strive both inside and outside of school. Gomez is a Link Leader for the upcoming school year, plays on Borah’s ultimate frisbee team, and works at McDonald’s. Although his future plans are still up in the air, he enjoys his health class with teacher Luke Gordon. Along with academics, many stu-

dents succeed within Borah’s clubs. After only 10 months of practice with rifle throwing, junior Austin Reid received a first place award in Special Exhibition at the Taylorsville All Army Drill Meet in Salt Lake City. Reid was the single representative from the Treasure Valley. “It was alright. The kids from the other schools were helpful and stuff. They were crazy,” he said. Reid taught himself all his rifle drill moves. After watching numerous YouTube videos, Reid practiced with his rifle, a nine-pound replica made of steel and plastic, and pieced together a three-minute drill set. He received the first place award after competing against 10 other performers. “I wasn’t nervous. JROTC teaches me discipline and hard work. It showed that I could teach myself stuff. It was a confidence booster.” Additionally, Reid is involved in Borah’s JROTC program. “In JROTC, we pretty much cover everything. We march, drill, teach leadership, and first aid. We even write essays.” On May 1, junior art students Joplin Morgan, Yeva Valter, Brittany Johnson, and Anna Kennedy teamed up and competed in the ChalkHeart

Photo by Korey Combs

Borah students recognized for their skills and excellence are Art award winner Joplin Morgan (left), Senator’s Choice award winner Kristian Gomez (center) and rifle throwing champion Austin Reid (right).

Competition. Of 20 high school teams, they received second place. The team picked a selection of poetry and interpreted it into a chalk picture. “It was comfortable,” said Morgan. “Nobody was going to tell us that our art was bad. It happened so quick, but we did the best we could with the time we were given. But it was a lot of fun to spice up a selection of poetry. It’s really cool to think about how el-

ementary sidewalk chalk is and then create a piece out of it that has a medium.” Morgan plans to include art in his future and has some definitte ideas. “I would like to have a bachelor’s in Art Education. It would be cool to study art overseas in Europe.” To watch a video of Reid’s Special Exhibition drill, visit borahsenator. com

National school report ranks Borah in top tier By Daxton Williams

Borah ranks in the top 10 percent of high schools in the nation, according to a Washington Post survey. Principal Bonita Hammer commented on the award, “I’m very proud of all our students.” Jay Mathews, a Washington Post writer, started the ranking in 1998 of Washington area high schools, until the Post and Mathews expanded it to a larger spectrum. Every high school in the nation is now being ranked on this list.

The list uses an equation to find the rankings: Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests divided by graduating seniors equals the challenge index or the ranking of the school. In 2008, Borah was in the top 1,500 schools in the United States. There are 98,817 public high schools across the nation. “The diverse population really sets us apart,” said Hammer. “I think the student body is accepting and helping

with all of their fellow students.” AP History teacher Jayne Davis agreed about the diverse student body and added, “Being a social studies teacher, I know that Borah has the most AP social studies courses.” According to Idaho.gov Borah has had 90 percent or higher of its seniors graduate since 2006. Fifty-Two percent of the 2009 graduating class enrolled in a post secondary education. Counselor Luanne Briggs said, “I talk to them about looking at their future and to challenge themselves, but

at the same time, try to keep it balanced with their extracurricular activities.” Davis said she believes students need to have self-reliance and independent learning so they can teach themselves when no teachers are around to help them. “I believe we can win this award again by continuing to challenge ourselves academically and enrolling in a lot of AP classes,” said Hammer. The plaque Borah received will be showed off in the office after graduation.

The Borah Senator May 22, 2012

News

Local author lectures English classes

By Camilla Girardi

In front of a young audience like Borah students, a speaker needs to be funny and interesting to keep those adolescent eyes on him. Writer Anthony Doerr knew this well, as he started his author lecture in the Little Theater May 8 with a “What’s up everybody?” He then continued with, “I’m gonna talk about how it feels to be a writer in Boise, Idaho, and not in New York City.” Doerr writes mostly short stories collected in books such as Memory Wall, his last publication, which has been read by some students in AP Language classes. He also published a novel, “About Grace”, and is currently working on another book set in World War II. In front of a couple of classes in the Little Theater, Doerr read an “es-

say in progress,” composed of two stories about a kid and his crappy Halloween costume. The focus of his presentation fluidly shifted to writing and accepting initial failures as part of the normal process of becoming a writer. Doerr himself calmly explained his personal experience with it. Since his childhood, he has been a voracious reader and has always wanted to be a writer. The books he read didn’t teach him how to make his dream come true, though: he found himself imitating other authors, rather than developing his own style. During college, Doerr tried the alternative road of poetry, but had to admit that it wasn’t his thing - to quote one of his lines, “trembling, the tree trembles, trembles, trembles.” He applied to seven creative writing programs and was admitted to

Senator analysis:

Idaho supports the Arizona immigration bill despite controversial racial profiling By Kristin Bracewell

With a similar issue looming in Idaho, Arizona’s immigration bill enters the U.S. Supreme Court because of its possible racial profiling. In 2005, Arizona passed a bill that made human smuggling a state crime, and in 2007, another bill that prohibited employers from knowingly hiring illegal immigrants. A new Arizona bill reaches even further, proposing a criminal penalty for any illegal immigrant caught without a registration document. What’s being questioned is the part of the law, known as SB 1070, that “would require the police to determine the immigration status of a person they have detained and whether the suspect is in the country illegally,” NPR blogger Mark Memmott wrote. The New York Times added the bill also “allows people to sue local

government or agencies if they believe federal or state immigration law is not being enforced.” “Four of the law’s most contentious provisions were suspended by federal courts,” The New York Times states. Other states are proposing similar legislation. Florida’s bill would require “immigrants to carry valid documentation on themselves at all times or face up to 20 days in jail,” reported Mariela Rosario, journalist for the publication, Latina. According to New America Media, “California secretary of state authorized a signature drive for the ‘Support Federal Immigration Law Act’ to be considered by voters in the next state election.” Among the states to show support is Idaho, offering support and understanding for the bill.

one. Eventually, an epiphany dawned on him. Why not write about the things he was interested in? Which in his case was science and biology. He “stopped trying to sound like everybody else” and ended up typing a 10,000-word story in a month. He learned that originality helps people see life with new eyes and was probably the source of his fortune. Doerr welcomed questions and profusely answered each of them. When asked about the origin of his inspiration, he said that all he has to do is go out and look around. He always carries a notebook with him and takes “crappy notes” about what sparks his interest. “(With my journal) I work on description, trying to turn the world into language,” Doerr said. His recipe for writing both novels and short stories is “one third pure imagination, one third memories and

one third research.” He quoted the famous writer Edgar Allan Poe, who said “writing a short story is the ultimate form for the exercise of genius,” showing that this genre requires much more concentration and hard work than a book. Doerr admitted his flaw is being “a visual writer,” and said he should write more about sound and smell in his descriptions. He discussed how he quite unconsciously follows a pattern in his stories: they start with a precarious balance, which is broken by an event or a character, and then restored in the conclusion. “Very much like all Disney stories,” he said. With only one minute left, Doerr received a full and loud applause by students and teachers, and had to shake many hands before everyone was satisfied.

Library fines prevent graduation, yearbook By Sara Rostron

Libraries have had little influence, other than fines, when it comes to late books. Borah has a different idea about this concern, however. The library can now hold your cap and gown if books aren’t returned. “Seniors can’t get their yearbook, cap and gown held until all of their fines are paid or a payment plan is made, while juniors and sophomores may have their yearbook held,” said librarian Jennifer Boyd. “We have been making announcements, posters, and sending reminders so that it’s completely clear what is due and how much. We want no misunderstandings or surprises.” While many students find this unfair, she said the library faces this challenge every year. “Our budget is lower and it is important to take care of the resources that we do have.”

Last year, junior Shelby Hinkle’s yearbook was held because of a $1 fine. “On yearbook day, I couldn’t have anyone sign my book. I think that this is a ridiculous rule, as long as they pay sometime it’s not that big of an issue.” Hinkle suggested a more effective rule; for instance, having kids bring in something other than money, such as canned food for the needy. Paula Heeger from Schoollibraryjournal.com writes that, “Kids typically think libraries charge late fees to punish people for returning materials late or to discourage people from keeping things too long. If you ask your colleagues the same question, they’ll likely say that late fees are a way to teach teens a lesson in accountability… the truth is that libraries just want their stuff back so they can lend them out to other people.”

Opinion

Senator Staff Opinion What do you think of how Student Council elections are run?

Our elections need to be run in a way that there is no room for error or interference. This means that someone with no affiliation whatsoever should be counting the ballots and that the results must be presented to the student body in full -- exact numbers of votes for each candidate -- in order to cement the validity of the process.

~Senior Justin Kirkham It should be just as authentic as real elections because high school should be preparing us for the future. Following the same guidelines as actual elections teaches more and would make us more aware of how politics work.

~Junior Sara Rostron For next elections, I think that there should be a lot more encouragement for students to vote. A lot of students would walk past the booths and the voting tables and not even bother voting. If student council made a bigger deal out of elections, then there would be more kids voting and a more fair outcome.

~ Junior Grace Gibney

The Borah Senator

May 22, 2012

Council strays away from democratic political process Staff Editorial

Another large component of the campus election process that does not mirror the national American political process is the release of the final results. In the Student Council elections, the student body is never given the final results. Keeping the count private prevents students from feeling hurt by the number of votes some receive, said Rue.

In an era of political corruption and scandal, skeptics rise amidst even the smallest of political arenas, including Borah High’s Student Council elections. After analysis of the Student Council election process, it is clear there are some gaps that do not mirror a regular political election, which need to be changed to ensure fairness at the ballot. If Borah wishes to uphold and learn about a true democratic election, then the students and staff should not be kept in the dark. On election day, each ballot is placed into a box. Student Council adviser and U.S. government teacher Korrin Rue said votes are counted by either her or a Borah administrator. In a standard Illustration by Andrew Adams election process, no one would think of having the perIn a standard election, such as in a son in charge of the election be the presidential or congressional election, same person who counts the votes. It final counts are released to the public. should be required that a person unaf- If Borah wishes to uphold a true exfiliated with Borah count the ballots. ample of a democratic election, then Although the council switched to elec- the count of the ballots must be retronic voting, using scantrons in place leased to students and staff. of paper slips, Borah staff should not “I feel like many of Borah’s stube involved in the counting process. dents question why we don’t get to Senior Jocelyn Schelske president know,” said junior Shelbie Hackof Key Club, explained the Home- ett, who held a position on Student coming Queen pageant doesn’t allow Council this year, her junior year, but anyone affiliated with Borah judge the did not win the position she ran for in competition, and said it is unfair for the recent election for her senior year. Borah teachers and administrators to If only one staff member at Bocount the Student Council election rah sees the final total, nobody knows ballots. whether the victors actually received

the highest number of votes. The only way to combat this suspicion is to have an unbiased entity tally the votes and release them to the student body. “We are the ones that voted so we should still be able to know, and it really gives that proof of hey, this is a fair vote,” said Schelske. Hackett said, “I feel like the numbers should be said, everybody already knows who wins or loses.” Campaigning during the designated election time is also questionable. Students vying for seats on Student Council receive little, if any, airtime, so the elections become more of a popularity contest. In order for these young politicians to hold their prestigious titles on the council, full of smart students with good work ethics, campaigning must be less about popularity and more about the do-gooder spirit. In past years, candidates were allowed to produce a video for the morning announcements that expressed their achievements and plans for Borah if elected. This year, each candidate was allowed only a PowerPoint slide with a small blurb and campaign slogan. This process does not ensure a fair and open election. Students running for Student Council should be allowed to speak to the Borah student body directly, instead of such indirect promotions. Students should know the final count of election ballots to restore the credibility of the election process, and be given the opportunity to know their candidates better.

The Borah Senator May 22, 2012

Opinion

The Next Due to the economic crisis that the American people are Four Years facing today, the future is an unclear haze of possibilities By Kristin Bracewell

As election season yields its ugly head, more and more people are considering which candidate they want as the next president of the United States. Will i t be Barack Obama, our current democratic president who has created legislation such as “Obama care” and increased taxes for the wealthy? Or will it be Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, who speaks of increased border control and more

rights to the states then the federal government? When these options are put to ballot on Election Day, is it really going to matter? For some, their beliefs will be addressed with either presidential candidate, but the thing is, no matter who wins, the economic crisis will not likely decrease. We, the American citizens will still have high gas prices and low job opportunities. Each candidate will work their hardest to try and improve conditions,

but this is a steep challenge. Thomas Heffner, journalist for “America’s Economic Report,” discussed the problems Americans are facing. First, he said, “We no longer produce what we need to sustain ourselves, we import much more than we export, and we are selling off our assets and taking on massive debts to sustain a standard of living we can no longer afford.” The next biggest problem he discussed is foreign trade practices. “We are failing even to acknowledge predatory foreign trade practices undermining U.S. industry. Instead we encourage U.S. manufac-

turers to design, engineer, and produce in third world markets like Mexico and China,” Heffner said. Heffner proposed some common ideas of how to correct this problem, but it will not be enough to cause a drastic change in the next four years. “First we should take direct action to reverse our out-of-control trade deficits. Second, we must carefully manage access to our markets. Finally, dramatic new direction is required. Promoting open markets and economic growth abroad will not alone re-balance

America’s trade accounts and domestic industrial collapse.” Though these tips may help improve the economy, it still does not create an instant change for the upcoming president. But just because the future will be difficult, does not mean that the Presidential Election should be taken lightly. Vote for your ideologies. Vote for who has the platform you agree with, the candidate that supports your beliefs. No matter what, your vote will count.

Graphics by Andrea Batten

Excess activity absences rob educational opportunities It makes it harder to respect teachers because this is what I

Teens Against Tobacco Use. TATU is a program for el-

It’s happened to us all beIllustration by Andrea Batten fore: we’ve missed a day or two of school for an event or sport and scrambled to make up class work. Regardless of the activity, is it worth missing valuable class time? Senior Paige Moren misses school often for choir-related events. She said she believes missing school for choir is worth it. “I’m going into music for college so we actually do learn… it gives me a lot of opportunities,” she said. “ I’ve met a lot of composers and conductors. I’m the only one in the Boise district that’s going to state.” “Teachers could be more want to do.” She explained that it is helpful,” she added. “TeachJunior Michaela Downing easy to fall behind but she ers don’t like choir and it’s also misses school for schooldoes catch up. The biggest frustration she has to deal an insult. This is my future. related activities, especially

ementary schools that teaches students facts about smoking. She said she believes in the benefits of a different learn-

By Sara Rostron

with missing school, she said, is teacher cooperation.

ing style she experiences outside of the classroom. “You have to research facts, attend a five-hour training, and also learn how to public speak. Being outside of the classroom gives you different experiences. When you’re in school you have a certain topic you learn about for a week, but [being outside of the classroom] gets you away from that.” Junior Kai Lockhart of AVID believes that it depends on the activity. “Missing school to see college fairs make sense, but missing just to go to a movie or something is stupid.” Lockhart also agrees that being outside of the classroom can make more opportunities. “It can create closer relationships that you don’t have in the classroom.”

Life

College: 8

By Brittni Hanrahan

“Your life is a novel. High school is a chapter. That chapter is over and the next step in your life is the next chapter waiting to be read,” commented in house monitor Dan Blanc. Taking that next step to college can be exciting, calming, but it can also be nerve wracking. In order to make college the best experience possible, there are just a few things that will get seniors through their first year, then it is a piece of cake.

ave a good attitude. Anything can be fun and exciting if you let it, so don’t walk onto campus with the mentality that you’re going to hate it. Because odds are that you won’t.

Bring the essentials--music, work-

The Borah Senator

Advice from experts incorporates everything from classes to dorms

ing phone, debit card, something that reminds you of home. Keep it simple. If you can’t live without it now, it better have a designated space in your suitcase, especially if you’re going out of state or a long way from home. But remember to simplify. You can’t just pack up your whole room and move it with you.

ack light. The dorms aren’t that big so just pack clothes you are comfortable in and some classy items for presentations, dinner, and special occasions. Bring just enough to make your dorm feel like home, because that’s where you’ll be living.

May 22, 2012

or those leaving the state or putting some distance between home and college, get involved with the school through clubs, activities, study

groups, or dorm gatherings to avoid homesickness. Call home about once a week, and stay in touch with your friends. Just because they’re no longer right next to you doesn’t mean your friendship has ended. Stay busy, and you’ll spend less time missing what was.

You

need far less money than you think. Walk around campus, don’t drive. Eat healthy but it is okay to occasionally eat some goodies. Take full advantage of free activities on campus. Many campuses offer activities such as movie screenings, game nights, and such. These are not only designed for the ‘broke’ college student, but are also excellent ways to connect to your fellow students.

o relieve stress, exercise daily. Many campuses have gyms or workout areas that were designed for the purpose of relieving stress.

on’t take more than you can handle at one time. Pace yourself; you’ve got four years to do all you want to do in college, so don’t take it all on in your first year. If anything, go a little easy on yourself when signing up for classes in your first year of college. Give yourself a little time to adjust before diving in.

ake sure you have a balance between academics and social. Don’t spend all your time doing just one thing. Mix it up a bit.

Studying: look at your notes right

after class so you know what you wrote and rewrite your notes so they are legible. Don’t wait until the night before the test to look over your notes for the first time. Anticipate the questions professors will ask ahead of time.

o make the first year as easy as possible, keep busy, go to class everyday and sit in or near the front. Make sure the professor knows you are willing to learn. Your attendance and your attitude could be the difference between a lower grade and a higher one. “Keep your goal of graduation at the top of the list, not just the social aspect” said biology teacher, Kris Stone. Yes, seniors, college is a time to have the freedom your parents never gave you. But with that freedom comes of responsibility. As a college student and adult, it is your choice to go to class but answer this; If you are going to pay thousands of dollars to go to college but don’t go to class, what is the point?

The Borah Senator May 22, 2012

Life

‘Bully’ movie emphasizes subtleties By Justin Kirkham

Attacked, depressed, isolated, and shrouded with a lack of ambition. Afraid to go to class, afraid to interact, afraid to acknowledge the problem, bullying can cause more than hurt feelings. As seen in Lee Hirsch’s recent documentary on student bullying in schools, “Bully,” the repercussions and lasting consequences of bullying can be drastic, and sometimes, too subtle to realize. “Bullying ranges from teasing among friends to violence or just those who enjoy making other people frustrated,” explained senior Chance Murray, who has seen and experienced bullying through elementary school. He stressed that some forms of bullying can be minor and not blatantly rude, but still hurtful. Even the seemingly innocent, “Wow, that was dumb” in the classroom or the “Gross” on a Facebook profile picture

can be interpreted as forms of bullying. Assistant principal Bryce England finds that actual physical bullying is the least common form of peer-topeer abuse. “Once in a while it is verbal,” he stated. “I see a lot of cyber bullying, however.” But even these forms of bullying can be so miniscule or shrouded by the title ‘friendly teasing’ that they are not seen by either the bully or the bullied. “Some people just don’t notice because the signs and symptoms are covered up,” said senior Aishia O’Leary, shaking her head. “If the kid doesn’t realize it, they may become shy or quiet subconsciously.” “Bullying is not outwardly apparent,” England continued, emphasizing that students who may feel that they might be being bullied should tell an adult to assess the problem. This school official sees a vicious cycle within bullying, where students can spiral, or snowball, into deeper

and more dire situations. “If a student is being bullied they don’t want to come to school. If they don’t come to school, they can start getting behind in their classes. Once they get behind in class, they feel even more overwhelmed,” he explained. A student that is ridiculed because of the questions they ask in class can be pushed into never unearthing their innocent curiosity or need for understanding. “They don’t want to interact because they are afraid of judgment,” assessed O’Leary. Senior Jack Tran finds that his quiet demeanor in the classroom today can be attributed to the bullying he faced at a younger age. “And I didn’t tell anyone,” he added. Any form of bullying can easily disrupt the learning process, leaving students defensive and unable to ingest information. “If a person experiences a stressful event, the brain will automatically go into fight or flight mode,” England explained. “When that happens, any

and all forms of learning stop.” O’Leary explained that if a more popular student is being harassed, teachers and fellow students will perk up, exclaim, “Excuse me,” she demonstrated this with opened palms in the air, and jump to the student’s aid. But if the popular and well-expressed student is doing the bullying, “everyone loves him and is laughing with him,” she said, shrugging. O’Leary warned that those being bullied could easily “snap from their pent up anger” and become a bully toward their original attackers with potentially higher force. “The roles can switch,” she stressed. “Basically, you are training the next generation [of harassers].” England emphasized students absolutely need to inform someone if they feel they are or might be being bullied. “We cannot act if we do not have the information. People are often hesitant to be a snitch but need to realize doing the right thing is not always easy.”

period is spent in its workshop, constructing various handmade goods. Many of the B.E.S.T. students’ creations reside around Borah, such as the picnic tables on campus lawns, and name plates on classroom doors. The picnic tables are sold to various people and organizations to fund lumber and other materials needed for the program’s continuation. During third and fourth periods, students travel out into the community to develop first-hand job experience. A recent venture was their trip to the Overland Park Theatre. Students harnessed leaf blowers and blew leftover trash down the sloped floor, while others swept it up at the bottom. Fifth and sixth periods are spent participating in recreational activities. Students have visited the Ada County Library and Kmart, where

they learned how to shop and spend money reasonably. An ongoing project of B.E.S.T. is its recycling program, which has existed for about 20 years. Every morning, rain or shine,

He went on to describe the unsatisfactory sight of leftover milk curdling in discarded cartons and emphasized that items with food in or on them cannot be recycled. While recycling, students behave in a positive manner towards each other, such as offering words of encouragement and motivation. When one student’s motorized wheelchair became stuck, multiple students zoomed in to assist him. Romberg said that recycling is a valuable service and he is grateful to be involved. He said he doubts some of the students realize the importance of recycling and the work they are doing. Romberg believes the B.E.S.T. program has positively affected its students. “I think they feel like they’re a part of Borah.”

Campus recycling one of many BEST activities By August McKernan

Lying in blue bins across the world lurks a hidden traitor: common trash. Recycling efforts are trying to combat these slippery spies. The Borah B.E.S.T. program is one such effort. B.E.S.T. stands for Better Employment Skills Training. The special education program resides in a cluster of classrooms facing the baseball diamond. Inside its workshop, the smell of sawdust lingers from the remnants of freshly cut wood and a larger than life Jenga set perches precariously on one of the many handmade work tables. B.E.S.T. is a nonprofit training program run in conjunction with Boise schools. It places emphasis on vocational, community, and life skills training, along with job placement and recreation. The first period of the class is devoted to its recycling efforts. Second

“I think they feel like they’re a part of Borah.” -- B.E.S.T. assistant Tom Romberg B.E.S.T. students twist through the different parts of campus collecting and emptying classroom recycling bins. This involves preemptive planning along with adult supervision. There are a variety of hiccups along the way. Tom Romberg, a B.E.S.T. classroom assistant, issued one main complaint: the presence of non-recyclable items in the bins.

Volume 48 Issue II NOVEMBER 12, 2007

A Day in

10 The Borah Senator

Passion unearthed in numbers, brush strokes By Sara Rostron

Illustration by Sara Rostron

Curvy lines become straight and narrow, building bridges upon each other. They form into buildings and sidewalks and streets, and stretch across the city; limitless. Colors fade into black and white, numbers dancing everywhere. An understanding for technicalities dawns upon me as I walk a straight, perfectly calculated path. This would be my life if I were to understand and enjoy math. Just thinking about this makes me apprehensive. My life is consumed with art and creativity. I’ve always had a difficult time understanding rules and schedules because I feel that they constrict the creative process. To me, math is all about rules, rules, rules and I don’t understand the point of them. It’s like following a religion blindly, a faith which I don’t believe. Every day I must battle those rules and question their legitimacy. I understand that you need math for most careers and even simple tasks

Academic explores club-based life By Kristin Bracewell

There is always the idea of taking a walk in someone else’s shoes. I recently experienced this idea with a girl whose life revolves more around her outside commitments than just her school work. Now don’t get me wrong, she is still active on her grades, but not to the point of my dedication and stressing over a specific GPA. Junior Delaney Klevens gave me the privilege of “shadowing” her to experience our differences. I wake up each morning with the same thoughts pounding through my head: school, grades, college. I am like a well oiled machine, where my life revolves around advanced placement and accelerated classes, and my GPA. Sure, I am involved in other things like sports and student council, but

they are not things that dominate my life. Unlike me, some people including Kleven have more life pleasing activities that dominate their mind set. When Kleven wakes up, her first thought is just the desire to get through first period. She wakes up, goes to school and “dreads first period,” she said. “It is my only AP class.” I attend my first three classes, all AP level, and take these classes with the possibility of getting further ahead. She’s dedicated to cheerleading, something with which she and I vary. “I am committed to my school work, but I am so committed to cheerleading, I plan on going pretty far with it.” “It’s fun to be up in front of everyone and help everyone support their team,” she said. For someone like me, academic driven, instead of being involved like

Kleven, I join organizations like Student Council or Newspaper to get my thoughts across and be involved. However, I see the joy she feels being involved in such groups. Shadowing someone else’s life for a day, I saw there is always the chance to discover similarities with a varying personality type. You may have the same music interests, such as country, or the same color. But the main thing I learned was that stepping out of my comfort zone might help. Putting academics aside to pursue a dream could benefit someone in the end. Delaney Klevens is one person that should be seen as dedicated, having a higher dedication to her passion. For all you academically driven people, take the chance to see the other side. Take the time to put passion before grades, adrenaline before GPA.

in life; however, I still remain slightly close-minded to this process. But after talking to intellectual and charming Jenna Phillips, junior, I can now see the beauty in both worlds. She loves the world she is in, just like the passion I have for mine. She is doing what she is best at, and most importantly she’s happy. Perhaps I am not meant for mathematics and numbers and rules, but I can appreciate them. Our world is made up of different individuals that share an array of opinions, and each personality brings talent to the mix. As George Russell once said, “Our hearts are drunk with a beauty our eyes could never see.” For me, that means that there is a hope, a dream, that runs inside each one of us that we love; a passion that never dies. And now I can truly understand that burrowed inside, even if we’re not alike, we’re not all so different because we have a passion that burns deep inside our hearts. Photo by Savannah Harrelson

Photo by Kristin Bracewell

the Life

American students lack Bridge drive and attitude By Justin Kirkham

Kindness and understanding transcend any sort of communication boundary, whether it be cultural or language based. This is highly apparent in Borah’s Bridge classrooms, where students from an array of countries, India, Guatemala, Nepal, and Korea, and others, gather with aligned pursuits: to learn English, become more comfortable with the American school system, and, most importantly, find a place where they can forge friendships. Shadowing junior Rajat Guleria gave me the opportunity to see this in its fullest actuality. Guleria came to the United States from India, where he went from day to day with a highly similar routine that he follows in America. According to Guleria, American schooling is exponentially easier than India’s. The programs he participates in at Borah are so inclusive and handson that the transition, or ‘Bridge’, from intensive studying and exam-centered classes in India to American social-centered schooling is seamless. While Guleria embraces his opportunity for education and his comfort in United States schooling, I tend to dread most days in my academic classes, as I do not have the same, background enforced, appreciation for schooling as Bridge students, like Guleria. Bridge classes are, according to Guleria, always filled with “jokes and some teasing.” After sitting in on a few of these classes, I was able to see just how inclusive and understanding peers are. All of the students are struggling with some form of a language barrier. Bridge students realize this and are commonly willing to assist each other in any way possible to help each other clarify and understand. They helped each other understand what Katniss was doing and why in their current English study novel, “The Hunger Games,” where-

I Understand

Graphic by Justin Kirkham

with students were able to reinforce their English skills and partake of the popular American culture. Traditional Borah classes are filled with students scrambling to earn high marks, and, particularly in my AP classes, students vigorously study for that A. Bridge classes instead seem to be focused on inclusion and understanding, where students can collectively learn a new language, delve into a new culture, and feel welcome in a new country. These students may be afraid to speak up in their non-Bridge classes with fear that their English is inadequate. I tend to keep quiet because I don’t want to seem uninformed. The striking detail is that non-English speaking students may desperately want to understand, but may not be able to formulate their question in a way that it could be understood. I, and other American students, tend to not exercise my own English skills to seek such understanding due to simple, almost insignificant reservations.

Volume 52 Issue VI May 22, 2012 11

German junior experiences contrast between US and European schools By Aline Meyer

Can you imagine getting out of school at 1:05 p.m. and having different classes every day? Can you imagine having your own classroom that you share with schoolmates that you have gone to school with nearly all your life? Welcome to a day in a life of a German student. First period every morning, American students hear the words, “Borah High School, please rise and join me in the pledge of allegiance...” Proud, they put their hands on their hearts and pledge to their nation’s flag. A stark change compared to a country on the other side of the globe, Germany, where at my school we pray before starting class. Around 11:14 a.m., I am confronted with a new change of scenery. I’m standing in a classroom full of boys. Coming from an all girls school - this is a big change. It’s very quiet com-

pared to a classroom full of girls, that is always a little loud and crazy with girls complaining about their boyfriends and menstrual cramps. In addition, the subjects available to Americans are different. Engineering and teacher aide periods are not available in German schools. Having the opportunity to figure out problems directly with my teacher helps me forge a stronger relationship with my instructor that I definitely cannot experience anywhere other than the United States. I don’t have the possibility in Germany to get individual help about a problem at break or lunch or even after school. But there is still a final difference: While all the American students are excited for summer, I look at the calendar with mixed emotions. It welcomes a time of summer and fun, but for me it means leaving behind the connections I have made this year and the friends I will never forget.

God-fearing or agnostic? By Carlee Parsley

Seminary, to those not devout, would be that boring time of day in which you sit down in front of a teacher who tells you what this giant book (written about a thousand years ago) is supposed to mean to you. But to the Mormon population at Borah, seminary is that time of day to sit down and reflect on how you can be better, and learn from the testaments of the prophets. Every day, according to registrar Patty Hamon, 143 of Borah’s 1,499 students troop across Cassia Street, dodging the speeding students, to take refuge where the only pressure is to be better in the eyes of the Lord. For junior Kaycee Garrett, who has recently rediscovered her religious

side, seminary is a time of reflection and learning stories that many of her fellow students who grew up in Mormon families are simply re-hearing. “I love having seminary first thing (in the morning), because it reminds me what I want to become, and how I can be better than yesterday or a year ago,” she said. “It keeps me focused on who I want to become.” The biggest difference, according to Garrett, between being religious and not is the amount of thought the day takes. Garrett explained that the bad habits she formed while not religious require almost constant consciousness to avoid slipping out. “Like when I stub my toe or something, and those words are the first things that want to pop out,” Garrett said, laughing.

A&E You’ll need a ticket for

The Borah Senator

May 22, 2012

Boise Music Festival By Riley Tidmarsh

The Boise Music Festival has become nothing short of a Treasure Valley tradition since its inception in 2010. With major artists like Backstreet Boys, Bret Michaels, and MC Hammer, the festival has attracted thousands of music-loving Idahoans to Ann Morrison Park every summer. Junior Gustavo Sagrero is excited about the festival’s lineup. “It’s cool. They’ve got some very well known bands. I also like that they have local artists too.” Those who wish to attend the festival will note it is moving from its previous location of Ann Morrison Park to Expo Idaho in Garden City. Junior Geoff Miller, who attended the festival last year, said that he doesn’t like the change. “It’s kind of

nice, because there’ll be more space, but I think that Ann Morrison was fine.” Boise Music Festival will also be introducing tickets to the event this year. Previously, the festival required no tickets, instead simply allowed anyone in. The festival’s official website, boisemusicfestival.com, reported that attendees of the evnt will have to win tickets from one of six radio stations or from festival sponsored events throughout Boise. Miller said the tickets are going to be a negative for the festival. “It’s just inconvenient. Before it was simple to get in.” Sagrero, on the other hand, has no qualms with the addition of tickets to the festival. “It’s fine. People who really want to go to see these bands will be willing to get out and get their tickets.”

Music councils expected to lead classes

By Aline Meyer

Band, choir and orchestra-- three music classes that Borah students can choose as electives. But not a lot of the school population even knows that these classes aren’t just normal classes taught only by the teacher. In band, choir and orchestra, students lead the classes for teachers when teachers are gone. Councils guide, direct, and practice leadership. Senior Joseph Wineke is a drum major “I’m kind of the quarterback of the band,” he said. “I have to communicate with them and lead them.” As drum major, Wineke is automatically on the band council responsible for organizing fundraisers. It is an elected position; band students vote on candidates after a speech by each candidate. The choir councils serve different functions. Senior Sandra Walker said, “We start class every day. We plan all the parties of choir and we have a

facebook page and send out texts and emails to keep all the students updated. Another of our functions is to be mediums between the choir and the students. “ Not only are councils a help to the teachers, but the students themselves improve. Walker said that she herself sets her standards high because she has to be an example to the other students. While the band and choir councils are elected by the students after candidates’ campaign speeches, the orchestra councils are selected by the teacher, Christa Rowland. Senior and orchestra president Kellina Breakfield said, “It’s the first year that we tried to have a solid council.” which showed her how hard it was to be a leader. Orchestra teacher Christa Rowland, who has had students as councils for several years, mentioned “The students willingness to contribute our success is what I appreciate most.”

Illustration by Andrew Adams

Superhero fans brace for new Avengers film By Bradley Burgess

Ever since Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) came to ask Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) about “The Avenger Initiative” at the end of 2008’s “Iron Man”, comic book nerds around the world have been holding their collective breaths in anticipation of the inevitable team up. Four years, five movies, and six superheroes later, “The Avengers” is finally here. Writer/director Joss Whedon knows full well that the conventional superhero audience will be expecting a grand slam, no expense spared, action packed culmination of five movies of buildup. So he decides to pull out all the stops for this non-stop thrill ride, packing it to the brim with action scenes that top Michael Bay’s “Transformers” trilogy. The story itself is as follows: The disgraced God, Loki(Tom Hiddleston), harnesses the power of the Tesseract cube to unleash an army of aliens on the unsuspecting world. To combat this, Fury teams up Stark, Dr. Bruce Banner a.k.a. the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Captain Steve Rog-

ers (Chris Evans), Loki’s adopted brother Thor(Chris Hemsworth), and SHIELD agents Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) and Natasha Romonoff (Scarlett Johansson). And as if that wasn’t enough, the team slowly starts to crumble as egos clash and Loki prays on their weaknesses. What makes “The Avengers” such a great movie is the same thing that made Whedon’s previous film “Serenity” so good: the mixing of great characters with grand action and the visceral impact to go along with it. The stakes are higher than ever in this film, only helped by the fantastic villain in Loki, who manages to take a silly role in last year's “Thor” and make it a true threat. The enormous cast takes turns, each member having moments to shine with no weak links. The film also dares to go to places no audience member would see coming, increasing the already massive stakes even further. “The Avengers” is not only a perfect action movie, it’s a perfect movie. Easily the best film so far this year. P.S. Stay all the way through the credits. You won’t regret it.

The Borah Senator May 22, 2012

Writer’s Corner Kayla Miskiv By Justin Kirkham

Nature is a muse. Both road trips and elongated gazes out a window can unearth distinct ideas and creative inspiration. With an emphasis on the bittersweet and carefully crafted story endings, sophomore Kayla Miskiv aims Photo by Cami Girardi to write pieces that Sophomore Kayla Miskiv satisfy readers and ponders her newest idea let them ponder her in the Borah quad. eloquent words. Miskiv often falls back on the genre of realistic fiction, embroidered with a bit of flair. She prefers to compose “stories based on reality with a little bit of fantasy and dystopia.” Without having ever had the chance to write something longer than a staple short story, this budding film director and screenplay writer strives to “move on to longer stuff.” Drawing from an array of authors to accent her own writing style, Miskiv joked, “It’s kind of just me stealing from and combining many authors’ techniques to seem unique.” She finds herself pondering her story ideas while gazing into the environment. “I love just staring out the window and thinking,” she explained. “I can do homework later -- this is more fun,” is Miskiv’s mentality when it comes to a new idea for a short story. “She really likes the sad stuff and its bittersweetness,” commented fellow creative writer, senior Carrie Ramos. Miskiv lines her compositions with deeper emotions that linger with the reader. “I want to write something that won’t disappear.” “She has very solid endings,” said sophomore Samantha Ward, nodding, who noted that Miskiv’s writing “is always something different -- not pop fiction -- but a variety of subjects.” Read Miskiv’s story, “Catching Clouds” on the Creative Fiction page at borahsenator.com.

A&E

AP artists spend hours creating portfolio pieces By Justin Kirkham

A splash of fluorescent green and blue, television static, dribbling tendrils of color. A creeping shadow of deep-set abuse and hurt unfolds from the feet of an abrasive mother, while a young girl stares eerily into the distance as a dark, amorphous fiend, lined with blood, hovers behind her. From rooftops to TV heads, AP art students crafted 12 distinct pieces, tied together by a common theme, over the course of a single semester. During second semester, these students must selected a theme with which they strung together 12 art pieces. “It starts out like -- this is cool, I’m doing art -- then like -- 10 more pieces this is crazy,” explained senior Patty Bowen. Wide-eyed, she exclaimed, “Then you’re creating art like India creates batteries.” These students pulled their concentration topics from a variety of areas. Senior Andrea Batten chose to illustrate harmful behaviors or disorders. “I was inspired by the phrase, ‘Shadows of the past.’ They are destructive behaviors personified.” Senior Alexx Claar, on the other hand, chose to interpret songs by one of her favorite bands, Crystal Castles, in art form, while senior Jocelyn Schelske focused on rooftops, “ideally connecting everybody under a common structure.” Claar has art class for three periods during the a day. She utilized used each period to complete her portfolio based on the music that made her “think of really weird things.” Sleep was a rarity near the portfolio deadline for many AP art students. “I would grab me one of

Basing her concentration on songs by Crystal Castles, senior Alexx Claar leaned toward creepy and weird images with blood, gore, and dripping faces.

Photos by Korey Combs

Senior Andrea Batten’s concentration project focused on “destructive behaviors.” She was able to complete six of her 12 pieces during the final project week.

those five-hour energy drinks, a whole pot of coffee, or a giant bowl of green tea and have to go to the bathroom all day long,” laughed Bowen, who often did push-ups and sit-ups between brush strokes to keep herself awake. Schelske stayed up until 3 a.m. each night painting with Netflix in the background. “I’ve watched every episode of The Office in the past two months.” Multiple students had to overcome stubborn stumbling blocks in their creative processes. Batten ended up completing six of her 12 pieces in the last week before her portfolio was due. “Time management has been my biggest issue,” she explained while working on the shading of one of her pieces a few days before the due date. Bowen had trouble landing on an ideal topic. “I started out with the idea of an ideal day, then moved to 1950s pop culture,” she said, sighing. Finally, after pulling an all-nighter and going for a jog, she decided upon “TV head kind of things.” But at the end of the process, these students were thankful to have achieved such growth in the artistic realm. “I completed 24 pieces in less than a year,” said Schelske. “I feel way more artsy now.” Claar tapped into her darker side masterfully in her concentration project. “I keep going back to blood and gore,” she laughed. “But I now know how to draw more than just a person; now I can incorporate backgrounds and more. I was more of a concept artist. Now I’m an illustrator.” Bowen was happy to have been introduced to such a variety of mediums. “I feel like my style is more developed, and I know how to draw faces.”

Q&A

The Borah Senator

May 22, 2012

What has been your best memory at Borah?

“I liked the diversity and how open-minded most people are. It’s a friendly environment.”

~ Senior Aaron Loiselle

Figuring out who your true friends are!

~ Senior Nenah Butler

“My best memories from Bo- “Winning rah are the simplest: sitting the state outside in the quad under the basketball championtrees on warm days with my ship.” ~ Senior friends, stuff like that.” Gomane Boller ~ Senior Sandra Walker

“As a senior, knowing that our senior class is the best in the valley is a great feeling.” ~ Senior Aaron Kidder “My best memory was the first time I wore my military uniform here. Everyone was looking at me in the strangest way. They started talking to me, which made me self confident. I am a really shy person.”

~ Senior Marcus Browning

“I would definitely include variety show and homecoming. Though the things that matter when making memories...are the people. Without football, players we wouldn’t have homecoming and without choir, we wouldn’t have variety show.”

~ Senior Dona Ochoa

“It would have to be just a regular day at Borah. Sitting at the table during lunch, hearing all the humourous (if inappropriate) comments and adventures of my friends.”

~ Senior Douglas Richards

The Borah Senator

May 22, 2012

Summa

Trends

By Ari Anchustegui

Summa Summatime Graphics by Ari Anchustegui & Rochelle Rathamone

If you’re looking to avoid slouching on the couch all summer, there are plenty of events to keep yourself busy! Boise and its surrounding cities are full of outdoor activities to keep you entertained. -Enjoy a float down the Boise River -Feature performances @ Flying M Coffee shop in Downtown Boise every first thursday of the June, July and August

-Cable One’s Movie Night @ Settler’s park in Meridian will be every Friday night in June, July and August -American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life @ Bishop Kelly High School, July 13-14 -3 Annual Boise Music Festival @ Expo Idaho, July 7

-Take a dip or get a tan @ Sandy Point Beach

-Boating, Camping, Tubing and Wake Boarding @ Lucky Peak Lake State Park

-4 of July celebration and fireworks in McCall, or Fireworks at Ann Morrison Park -Movies Under the Stars @ Julia Davis Park

-Terrace Drive in movies, Salt Lake Avenue, Caldwell

-Alive After Five, Wednesdays @ Downtown Boise

-Have a picnic or a hike @ Hyde Park and Camel’s Back Park

Trendy Terms By Ari Anchustegui

Bradying: To sit down on the ground with your legs straight out in front of you and your head hanging in shame. Cray: A way of saying something is crazy, or deviant from the norm. Tebowing: To get down on a knee and start praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different. YOLO: An acronym for “you only live once”. YOLT: “You only live twice” for those who want to contradict YOLO. HAM: An acronym for “hard as a mother******” Going ballistic, or “going hard.” Go hard: The act of doing something to its fullest, and doing it well. Swag: Basically, being “cool” in the form of appearance and style.

SMH: An acronym for “shaking my head”. typically used when someone finds something so stupid, no words can do it justice. Totes: The hipster form of saying “totally.” Z’s: An abbreviation for Zombies, a game in Call of Duty, Black Ops. IJS: An acronym for “I’m just saying,” when expressing sarcasm, irony, or adding emphasis. *More slang can be found at UrbanDictionary.com

-The Western Idaho Fair @ Expo Idaho, August 17-26

You only live once

A Satire, by Jacob Horton

Dear Diary, Today I heard an uncensored song featuring an apparently popular rap artist by the name of Drake. His philosophy was to do what you wanted, because “You only live once” (YOLO). I came across this song while doing my daily tweets. A girl said that she was acting with ludacris and risky behavior and followed her story with the acronym “YOLO”. After a few hours of contemplation, I decided, finally, to participate. In order to be successful, I must act how I want and follow “The Motto” of YOLO. I will begin tomorrow. However I will neither date nor organize my entries as usual (as a tribute to my new reckless demeanor). Today I made a tuna sandwich and added some shredded pepperjack for some spice. YOLO!After eating my exotic sandwich, I indulged in a 46-minute nap rather than my normal 30-minute nap. YOLO! After my nap, I felt very energized and went for a 20-minute jog and came across a shady group hanging out by my local cinema. They

asked me if I would be interested in purchasing some illegal substance in which I would use to alter my mind state--I bought it. YOLO! During my abnormal experience, I made a mess in the kitchen in the process of fixing my unexplainable hunger. YOLO! The next day I went back to the men and asked for something that would keep me up rather than make me hungry and tired. YOLO! During my next venture into mind altering substances, I took the 9mm from atop of my Dad’s closet and robbed a convenience store to fund my next trip to my suppliers. I feel so good! YOLO! About an hour after I robbed the store, some policemen showed up at my door demanding that I be arrested and I took my 9mm and shot them from my upstairs window. YOLO! Upon the next attempt at detaining the young man who shot two policemen, he reached for his gun and was shot twice. Once in the stomach and in the neck. He was rushed to the hospital, but died from blood loss. YOLO!

The Senator’s Summer Playlist

What’s an enjoyable summer without music related memories? Add some beats to your warm adventures in the months ahead and make Summer 2012 one to remember. Here are some Senator staff suggestions for you to listen to all Summrer long. “Helena Beat” -Foster The People “All Summer” -KiD CuDi, Best Coast and Vampire Weekend “The Night Out” -Martin Solveig “Joywave” -Golden State “Please Stay” -Summer Heart “Summer Sun” -Miami Horror “Julius” -STRFKR “Climbing Walls” -Strange Talk “TGV” -Housse De Racket “FM Belfast”-Par Avion “Violent Love”-Munk “Daylight (Trouble Maker Remix)” -Matt N Kim and De La Soul “Laughing Gas”-Neon Indian “Eclipse” -Uno Hype “Too Close” - Alex Clare “Heads Will Roll”-The Yeah Yeah Yeah’s “Happening”-Chiddy Bang “Figure 8” -Outasight “Bad Days” -Cults and Freddie Gibbs “Take a Back Road” -Rodney Atkins “Summer of love” -Cascada “The Times” -Sol, Grieves & Budo “Focused” -KiD CuDi and Wale “Undercover Martyn” -Two Door Cinema Club “Gold on the Ceiling” -The Black Keys “Sprawl II” -Arcade Fire “Polish Girl”-Neon Indian “Feel So Close (Datsik Remix)” -Calvin Harris “Everybody Talks”-Neon Trees “Stereo Sun”-Eric Turner and Lupe Fiasco “Hacienda Motel” -Pickwick “In the Summer” -Crystal Fighters “Celebration” -ASAP Rocky “IWYWAW” -Com Truise “Confetti” -1,2,3 “So Dead” - Tearjerker “Young Blood” -The Naked and Famous “Broken Hearts” -Summer Heart “Chrome Eyelids” -Boats “Two Weeks of Hip Hop” -Dead Prez vs. Grizzly Bear “The Wave” -Miike Snow “The Kids Don’t Stand A Chance” -

Vampire Weekend “Seventeen” -Youth Lagoon

Sports

The Borah Senator

October 2011

May 22, 2012

October 2011

Photo from Facebook

The Volleyball team took fifth place at the state tournament. “We’ve had a lot of ups and downs, but we peak[ed] at the right time,” said senior Hannah Schleis.

Photo by Kristin Bracewell

The Boys Soccer team placed second in the state tournament, a pleasant surprise for the team. “We weren’t even predicted to make it to the state tournament. Our record was terrible,” said junior Armin Mandal.

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Photo by Mike Reid

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The Cheerleading squad placed second in the district tournament and third in state. “I think we got rid of a lot of drama and progressed more as a team,” said junior Delaney Kleven.

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r a e y e h t f o s t n e m h s i l p m o c c A s t r o p S The Boys Basketball team won first place in the district and state tournaments. They also hold the record at Borah for most wins in a season. “I’m happy for Coach [Cary] Cada,” said senior Ben Tucakovic.

The Ultimate Frisbee team won the state championship against Boise High, after completing the season with only one loss. Junior Kasey Edwards, player on the team, said, “I feel very excited because we all played hard and we all deserved it.” Photo from Facebook

Photo by Kristin Bracewell

March 2012

May 2012 March 2012

The Borah Senator May 22, 2012

Sports

Track athletes ‘run’ their way to state By Emilee Rivers

Photo by Korey Combs

Senior Brittany Owens competes in the long jump event at the track district tournament. She qualifIed for the state tournament in four events.

Tennis team improves, strong players succeed By Madisen Gerber

Boys varsity tennis placed third in districts, and the following players qualified for state: freshman Kyle Whittaker, juniors Reuben Mulhern,Vanessa Adams, Amanda Nielsen, Victor Do, and senior Brian Hanson. Among the season highlights, sophomore Riley Armstrong won the Classic Cup, capping the tennis season. The Classic Cup is a two-day tournament with competitors from four states. The first day includes three matches and the second day includes four. out of all the competitors, faced thirty-one others. “My brother is my biggest influence in playing,” said Armstrong. “I won a match in Augen, Utah because of him.”

Armstrong added, “Out-strategizing the other players involves a lot of mental capability.” Not only did Borah win Classic Cup, but the varsity team returned from a tournament in Pasco with high morale. Senior Alexis Hepworth junior and Emilee Rivers won fourth. “We always do better if we’re having fun,” Hepworth said, laughing easily. “It’s important to stay relaxed.” Varsity players are credited with increasing the morale of the players. “Upper varsity gives us motivation so that we can see that we can beat them, the opponent,” added Hepworth. Junior Terrin Simpkins acknowledged that this season was a lot stronger than last year’s. “The coaches teach more and are far more organized,” Simkins said. “I improved all around from last year thanks to more one on one time with the coach.”

Placing eighth overall for the girls team and tenth for boys, Borah track qualified for state in 14 events this season. Head track and field coach Jeremy Dovel said in an email, “The Lions have been the overall combined team city champions for the last eight years! And current Borah senior Brittany Owens became the FIRST AND ONLY high school female in the state of Idaho to Long Jump over 20 feet. She broke her own YMCA meet record with a jump of 20’ 1/4”. This mark has her currently ranked third in the NATION!” Owens, one of the team’s top participants, set her goals high for state, qualifying in four events. She placed first in the long and triple jump and

fifth in the 100 and 200. Awestruck by Owen’s long jump achievement, sophomore Sam Powell said, “She broke her own record, that’s pretty impressive,” joking he added, “which is why I run not jump.” Not far behind, senior Megan Suitts placed fourth in the high jump and discus, ranking in the top for state. Receiving third in the shot put, sophomore Hayley Morse, a first-year Borah track participant also secured a spot in state. Qualifiers for the state track tournament include: Seniors Brittany Owens, Tyler Higby, Cody McKague, Braden Corpus, Grant Darrington, and Megan Suitts; juniors Colton Streufert amd Keltie Vance; sophomores Karsten Niedorer., Shanae Boully, and Hayley Morse; freshman Madi Larsen

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JV Sports

Athlete inspired by Dad By Savannah Harrelson

Bred from a family of softball players, Alea Cross actively participates in the sport, hoping to expand her skills and abilities in softball. How long have you been playing softball? Four years. This is my first year playing high school softball, the other three were little league. Why did you start playing softball? My dad has played his entire life and I wanted to get into the more competitive side of softball instead of just for fun. How have you liked softball at Borah? I liked that people push you and want you to do all that you can and it’s

nice to see other people who enjoy the sport. It was fun.

The Borah Senator

What is your inspiration? My dad is my inspiration. Also, Sophomore Ashlyn Englehorn. She is really goofy and funny but also very serious when it comes to the sport. Her attitude toward the game really made me recognize her.

Are you doing any summer leagues? Right now I’m just doing slow pitch, which is more of a family league. If I had the opportunity to do slow pitch, I would definitely do that.

Do you plan on playing softball after high school? It’s always been a dream to play in college. After college I want to coach, mostly high school.

How do you plan to further your skills? I plan to work on my skills over the summer. My little sisters and my whole family plays, so it will give me time to further my skills.

What are your goals for next season? I hope to make varsity and learn from the other players and get a whole new experience and learn from them, and see the game in a new way.

What are some of your future goals? My goal for next year is to try to have fun, but also show people that I love my sports. I like this sport because it is competitive and I want to play my best whenever I can.

What have you learned this past season? I learned that it’s not all about yourself and how you do and how you play. I’ve learned that it’s a team sport and you have to work together and play as a team.

May 22, 2012

What advice would you give to prospective softball players? To work hard no matter what obstacles you come to, and think about what you could do better instead of all the things you already do well. Anything you would like to add? Make sure you’re doing the sport for dedication and always be prepared for a challenge.

Photo by Emilee Rivers

Sophomore Alea Cross displays her softball skills.

The Borah Senator May 22, 2012

Farewell...

The time has come to say our goodbye By Kristin Bracewell

Graphic by Andrew Adams

The end of the year is near, with three days remaining and that means excitement and anticipation is running high. But with a joyful ending also comes a sorrowful goodbye. What I ask of the graduating class is that you all take a moment to look around. Notice the people. The faces. The atmosphere. Never again will any of us seniors be in a school together at the same time. Never will we share the bond of having a great teacher, or a distaste for a new rule. Never will we be able to say we were all there the night the boys basketball team won the state championship, or the night that one of our own BEST students took the stage for the talent show. But we will be able to say, many years from now, that we all were from the graduating class of 2012, from Borah High School. We all can say that for three years we stood as the class that had pride, had determination, and had some type of influence in this school. The senior class students should be able to stand proud, on June 1, and accept their diplomas with the knowledge that we all have done something. The popular saying “YOLO” has recently appeared; some think of it as an annoyance, while others think it’s comical. But in reality, it seems like a good motto for our class to go out with. You Only Live Once, Borah seniors, and live by this: every day matters, every action counts. Carry this idea with you into your future. Live life to its fullest, take chances, be safe, cherish your future and your life. Ten years from now, we will be gathered for our first reunion, and by that time our lives will be drastically changed; some will be married, have children, be CEOs, or perhaps hippies. But one thing will not change. We, the graduating seniors, will forever be the Borah High School class of 2012.

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fun & Games

The Borah Senator

Aries (March 21-April 19)

There has yet to be a period of time in which you are thoroughly happy. Open up to your friends and family to surpass hard times. This will allow contentment to be a consistent mood.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

If you are confused about your relationships, avoid receiving mixed signals by bluntly addressing issues and carefully observing odd behavior.

Gemini (May 21- June 20)

Struggling to find your passion is a common tendency for you. Focus on excelling in areas in which you express the most adoration, rather than lending portioned attention to less important hobbies. Cancer (June 21- July 22) Refrain from ignoring your issues. Avoidance of serious matters may conclude to a feeling of ease at first, but in order for weight to be lifted entirely you must face your problems to the very end.

May 22, 2012

Sagittarius (November 22-

December 21) Don’t let your ego slip from your grasp. It is extremely important that you keep valid self-awareness. Otherwise those around you may question your sincerity.

Capricorn (December 22-January

Graphic by Rochelle Rathamone By Ari Anchustegui

Leo (July 23- August 22) Donating effort to every aspect of your goal will indeed prove tiresome. This doesn’t lend an excuse to give up entirely.Your diligent actions ultimately will assemble character and selfsatisfaction. Virgo (August 23- Sept. 22) Your careful tendencies are worthwhile in limited situations. There comes a time to let loose and authorize yourself to indulge in some leisure. Once time is taken to relax your view will be broadened to more useful perspectives.

Each row, column and block must have numbers from 1 to 9 in them. No number can appear more than once in any row, column, or block.

Libra (Sept. 23-October 22)

You’ve tangled yourself up in your own thoughts. If you manage to unravel, you will easily understand the simplicity of situations you once saw difficult. You will experience an abundance of relief if you do so. Scorpio (October23-November 21) Cleanse your mind and conscience by taking pleasure in new things. There is an abundance of events you have yet to enjoy. Allowing yourself to laugh more each day will give you a positive attitude on a more daily basis.

19) Don’t leap off the boat just yet! A hasty exit will only lead you to an infestation of uncertainty of what could have been had you been patient.

Aquarius (January 20-February

18) Applaud yourself for your constant dedication. By not taking short cuts, you have shown yourself and others that you are trustworthy and full of good intentions. Pisces (February 19-March 20) If your thoughts are dancing across the calendar, try to stay with the current rather than ahead of it. There are numerous objectives to focus on now that will affect your future.