February Issue 2012 by Corona del Sol Sunrise

February 2012 Vol. 34 No. 6 Corona del Sol High School Tempe, AZ Visit online at cdssunrise.com

SUNRISE

newspaper

varsity

21games: 0 losses

* includes regular season and Divison 1 playoﬀs

sucessful 1363-POINTERS

14PLAYERS season 79BLOCKS

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39BY ESPN

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countless fans, chants and high-ﬁves...

State Title one

Next year’s seniors not eligible for half-day schedules

Nine wrestlers go to state, achieves sixth place overall

The Sunrise staff takes a stance on search and seizure

In the midst of registration, the class of 2013 and beyond are becoming aware they aren’t allowed to have only four classes.

The varsity wrestling team concludes a season of success with a sixth-place �inish at the state championships Feb. 10-11.

Is it within a teacher’s right to search your backpack? Find out about the legalities of this rule and what the staff thinks.

more on page 7...

CdS Sunrise • February 2012

2 • News

Every 4 years: Leaping into history JaCqui Marzocca Managing Editor Every four years, the world encounters the summer Olympics, the United States presidential elections and an extra day pushing us to 366 days, instead of 365. Julius Caesar originally invented the idea of leap year more than 2,000 years ago, though the mathematical accuracy of leap year did not come into play until the Gregorian Calendar came into existence in the 1500s. The timing of leap year is based on one thing: if the year is evenly divisible by four. Therefore, once every four years an extra day is added to the calendar.

The purpose of leap year is to keep our calendars caught up with the sun. Without the additional day, in 100 years the calendar would have skipped 24 days. The movie Leap Year, starring Amy Adams, centers around the Irish traidition of Leap Day, when St. Bridget allegedly made an agreement with St. Patrick that a woman could propose to a man. The reasoning behind this was to create a balance between the roles of men and women, in the same way that leap year keeps the calendar balanced. It has been said that if a man did not accept a proposal on this day, it was law that he would need to pay, either in money or in material object. Leap year is an unlucky day, according to some cultures, such as Scottish or Grecian.

Babies born on Feb. 29 have a few advantages, as well as disadvantages. For one, technically these individuals only have a birthday once every four years. For example, if everyone else in your grade is 16 years old, those born on Feb. 29 are technically only 4 years old. Though, there is one positive: “The Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies.” More than 10,000 people from all over the globe have joined this free club that spreads awareness of Leap Year Day. “I like it (my birthday) because it makes me unique,” sophomore Samantha Ridnour said about her birthday on Feb. 29. So live it up on Feb. 29; it only comes once every four years.®

Style Club students to experience fashion in L.A. LIZ CHENEY Staff Writer

Are you a fashonista? Fashaholic? Or altogether fashion freak? Then the Style Club’s style trip to Los Angeles is for you. But there’s a catch. You must be a Style Club member to participate in this extensive three-day shopping extravaganza from March 15-17, although some would rather not call it “shopping.” “We try not to say it’s shopping. It’s more like exploring,” fashion teacher Diana Occhiuzzi said. Style Club members begin with a private tour at G. Armani. From there they go to Melrose Avenue, where they get to view the garment district. Next they go to FIDM’s (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchanding) debut show, which has about 5,000

people attending. From there, they adventure to Santa Monica to view the open-air shops by the ocean. On Saturday they take a tour of Hollywood and finish at Palm Springs to see the designer outlets. “We always check out the designer stores on Rodeo drive,” sophomore Hannah Gur-Arie said, “They’re always better in California,” The group gets to stay on Rodeo Drive at the Luxe Hotel. “To stay on Rodeo is a real treat,” Occhiuzzi said. In addition to shopping at all the top stores in L.A., students can look forward to meeting several popular celebrities. “Last year we met Mario Lopez and were on Extra,” Gur-Arie said. “Vince Vaughn was at the taco stand,” Occhiuzzi

said. “We hope to be on the show again this year; it’s a highlight,” sophomore Lauren LaGioia said. Each student attending is urged to dress nicely, not just your typical jeans and a T-shirt. “We have a dress code because you want to look good and impress everyone,” Gur-Arie said. “We’ve already been shopping; we’ve got a couple of our outfits all planned out.” This is the 12 year Occhiuzzi has taken her Style Club students on the style trip. This trip began with just six students and now it has increased to 35 students. If you’re interested in joining Style Club and would like to become a part of next years style trip, contact Fashion Design teacher Diana Occhiuzzi.®

February 2012 • CdS Sunrise

News• 3

Seniors now required to take 5 classes STEPHANIE DAYTON Opinions Editor

Half days are a rite of passage for many high school seniors. However, for the class of 2013, half days will no longer be allowed. Next year’s seniors will be required to take a minimum of five classes, while underclassmen will still be required to take a minimum of six. This is a result of increased graduation requirements. The class of 2013 is the first class to need 23 credits for graduation. “For every four classes a student takes it’s funded by the district, but the district requires five classes to act as a safety net to keep the classes, staff and

“For every four classes a student takes it’s funded by the district, but the district requires ﬁve classes to act as a safety net to keep the classes, staff and students funded.” -Principal Brent Brown students funded,” Principal Brent Brown explained. “It’s good that no matter what we’re constant,” Principal Brent Brown said. “It helps keep kids on

campus and in the classroom.” Unlike Corona, Gilbert High School and Chandler High School students must take a full schedule every year. Corona will offer one period of release to next year seniors. Taking a full schedule gives students the opportunity to take classes that are required for college admissions. In the past, students were able to graduate in three to three-and-a-half years. Now, with the increase in credit requirements, students have less ﬂexibility. “I dislike it,” junior James Contes said. “I could have had a half day but now I have to take unnecessary classes.” 

4 • Sports

CdS Sunrise • February 2012

OF THE

athletes ®issue: Brooke & Cara Ridley AUDREY WHEELESS Sports Editor

For senior twins Brooke and Cara Ridley, they are all too alike. The Ridley sisters have been playing club soccer together since they were 4-years-old, a total of 14 years on the field. “At 4 we began on a developmental team that was a part of AZFC, which is a club,” Cara said. “We went to the Tempe Pros when we were 8 or 9 and then we went to Sting. The Sting team is a coach we had when we were little. It was an all girls club she started. We played on that for two years and then it ended up not being able to work.” Aside from playing club soccer, the sisters have also always played on the school team together. “We have played the last three years on varsity and freshman year on JV,” Brooke said. Anyone with a sibling can relate to not always getting along, but the Ridley sisters believe their comfortability with each other makes them better. “It’s kind of weird; we play really well together because we know what the other one is thinking,” Brooke said. “We play pretty similar with our passing and stuff so we pass really well together and move up the ball really well together. We yell at each other and she’ll yell at me and I’ll yell back or something. We get pretty vocal but that’s good.” “Yeah, we really get vicious,” Cara said. “I’ll scream stuff at her I wouldn’t say to anybody else on the field. I think we’re very critical of each other but it makes us better. Like Brooke was saying, it seems like we work and move the ball together well for some

PATRICK BUCK

Brooke (left) and Cara (right) have been playing soccer since they wre four years old. They do not plan to play next year.

reason; it’s weird.” Despite the obvious talent that is acquired over 14 years of playing soccer, neither twin has any plans for soccer after this year. “I’ll probably play intramural but as for the whole college scene I’m just kind of done,” Brooke said. “I’m burnt out on soccer right now, with the politics of it and everything. It’s too much stress. It’s not just playing the game; there’s way more to it. I just don’t want to have to deal with that and I just want to play it for fun now.” Cara wasn’t as set on stopping after her senior year. “I was considering it (college soccer). It had been off and on for the last two years,” Cara said. “If I do play it would be intramural, or if I decide I want to, there’s walk-ons for the ASU team. I can try out but there are no guarantees I’m going to be able to play. But if I do want to continue to play, that’s what I’ll do.”

Although the girls were not so keen in playing college soccer, schools have been interested in them. “We would go to tournaments when we were on the club team and I know North Park University in Chicago was emailing me and some other people, but I didn’t really want to go,” Brooke said. “The Paradise Valley Community College coach was calling me and trying to get me to dual enroll there so I would play there and go to ASU still, but that just kind of faded out,” Cara said. “The drive is far and at that point I wasn’t sure if I wanted to play.” The twins realize what a change they will experience in their life without soccer, and are aware of how much they are going to miss it. “I’m going to miss it so much,” Cara said. “I’m upset my high school season is going to be over because I was planning on going back to club, but a few girls on the team quit so we don’t have a team; we don’t have enough players. I’m done playing soccer but I’m going to miss it so much; it’s hard.” “The best part about soccer is the girls and the team you say you play with,” Brooke said. “It’s fun to go on the field and move the ball and know when you’re playing good. I’m going to totally miss it.” Brooke and Cara will attend Barrett, the Honors College at ASU in the fall. “Enjoy it while it lasts because there is no guarantees for college sports. Once it gets up to higher levels, it’s not as cut and dry fun. It’s more about making sure you win and the politics of it. So just enjoy it while you have it because you can’t do it for your whole life,” Cara said. ®

February 2012 • CdS Sunrise

Sports • 5

Wrestling places 6th in state tournament 1.

JACQUI MARZOCCA Managing Editor

After a season of hard work, extra practices and high expectations, the Corona varsity wrestling team took sixth place at the state championships, Feb. 10-11. Nine wrestlers attended the state competition: freshman Matt Churchill (113 lbs), sophomore Glenn Farina (126), sophomore Zach Walton (132), freshman Daniel Cartagena (138), sophomore Ethan Tursini (145), senior Jason Landrum (152), senior Justin Butler (160), senior Jay Tucker (182), and senior Steven Rodriquez (285). Dedication is the basis of every accomplishment and the varsity wrestling team has produced nothing less throughout the season. “We increased our practices to twice a day to increase the intensity of our workouts, worked match strategy and worked on eliminating mistakes from poor technique,” varsity wrestling coach Jim Martinez said. The extra practices were tough, but worth it. “Practices were very intense and to the point,” Tursini said. “We had practice before and after school. Two practices allowed me to push to my mental and physical limits and beyond. The hard work definitely is worth it. Countless times I’ve found myself in a close match in the first and second period. Then the third period comes, and because of all the things coach has me doing in the room, I’ve found myself not tired at all while the other guy is.” The team took first place at the Southwest Showdown on Dec. 2 and 3, first place at the Moon Valley Invitational on Dec. 16 and 17, and fifth place at the Flowing Wells Invitational on Jan. 13 and 14. The top four wrestlers who competed at Sectionals, which is the last major competition before state, were Landrum, Tursini, Walton and Cartagena. Prior to the competition, Martinez predicted that Corona’s toughest competition at state would be Sunnyside, Cibola, Chandler, Mountain View, Desert Vista, Horizon and Mesa. “These are some of the best teams in the state this year,” Martinez said.

In the final score, a few of these teams did place above the Aztecs. Though the team has done well this season, expectations travel far past the state competition. “No one is ever satisfied, even when they accomplish their goals. When one goal is achieved, a new one is set,” Martinez said about where the winners will go from here. “The goal is to keep getting better with some of the same wrestlers and new ones taking over for seniors who graduate.” The team aspect of wrestling also has a great impact on individuals. “(My favorite part of the season has been) hanging out with my friends and coaches,” Rodriquez said. “They’re a great bunch of guys.” The state competition took place in Prescott. Wrestlers competed in their individual weight classes. Second place went to Walton and Rodriquez, Tucker took third, Cartagena walked away with fourth, Tursini took fifth and Farina and Butler both came home with sixth place. “It feels good,” Walton said. “It’s been a long time coming. I know I deserve it because I worked really hard.” The team has perseverance and has a desire to keep pushing and win. “We may not be the biggest or strongest, but we never quit and that’s when we win,” Tursini said. Preparation and dedication describe the attitudes of the wrestlers and their hard work. “We do our due diligence to make sure we know who our toughest competition is,” Martinez said. “But it is really about making sure that they are prepared to take advantage of any opportunity they can.” Martinez views the overall season as a success for Corona’s varsity wrestling team. “Finishing sixth is an accomplishment to be proud of,” Martinez said. “I’m even more proud that we could place seven of the nine wrestlers we took to state. Their effort, their belief in themselves, and the way they represented Corona del Sol makes me proud of them as wrestlers and as fine young men. I view this season to be a tremendous success when we reflect on the championships we won at the Southwest Showdown, Moon Valley and Division 1, Section 2 tournament.” ®

1. Senior Jay Tucker places third after beating his opponent from Bolder Creek at the State tournament in Prescott Valley (photo by Sierra Crespin). 2. Sophomore Ethan Tursini works his Gilbert opponent to his back with a chicken wing; Tursini won (photo by Patrick Buck). 3. Coach Jim Martinez argues a call for senior wrestler Justin Bulter at the State tournamnet (photo by Sierra Crespin). 4. Sophomore Zach Walton works to take control of his Sunnyside opponent; Walton won (photo by Patrick Buck).

CdS Sunrise • February 2012

6 • Life & Times

The Sunrise ...with dance teacher AARON GILBERT

Nathan Samuels Staff Writer

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Q: What made you start dancing? A: I was studying Elementary Education and have always had the idea that the arts would be a good way to assist in the teaching of other subjects such as math, English, science, etc. Being a visual learner, I decided if I wanted to use this strategy periodically in my classroom, I would have to become more knowledgeable in various art forms. I first studied theatre and had the opportunity to perform in a number of plays. Then I decided to take a dance class. I chose classical ballet since it is labeled the foundation of dance. Coming from an athletic background—I played sports all my life—I was was eager to start. As soon as I took my very first ballet class, I realized I wanted to dance for the rest of my life. The physical aspect was incredibly difficult and the ability to be expressive artistically was a perfect match for me. I immediately changed my major and the rest is history. Q: What is the most enjoyable part of teaching dance? A: Growth! It is such an honor and blessing to watch how students struggle with something, technical or artistic, and eventually they get it and are so excited. As teachers, we are privileged to be a part of so many people’s lives and that is truly amazing when you ponder the immensity of that reality. Q: What is your favorite type of dance? A: Well…I really like all styles of dance and appreciate all of them. If I have to pick, I would say ballet and b-boying (breakdancing). Q: What are some stories or experiences you have gained from teaching dance?

A: I remember a time a while back when we were auditioning eighth

graders and right when the music started the group auditioning froze and could not recall the choreography. When the music concluded we asked the dancers if they would like to try it again and in unison they emphatically said “NO!” All of the judges burst in to laughter because we expected them to want to try it again. There was a time once when we were performing and a scorpion ran across the front of the stage and the girls came backstage exclaiming that a “scorpion is on the stage.” We also had a dance show where bees were literally falling from the ceiling onto the stage during the show and we would have to sweep them up after every dance. Q: Did you teach dance anywhere before Corona? A: I first taught at McClintock High School and loved it. Then I went to Mountain Pointe and loved it as well. Then I came to Corona. I have truly loved my time here and feel blessed to have worked with so many amazing young people and an incredible faculty. Q: What do you want to see by the end of the year in dance? A: I want to see that my students have become better people who think of others and have a desire to give back to the community. I also want them to demonstrate the ability to dance with grace, power, and artistry. Hopefully, they will have gained a stronger sense of self-confidence and carry that with them in all aspects of life. Q: What would you say to a student on the fence about joining dance? A: It has to be a personal decision and she/he must do what they feel is right for themselves. If they think dance may be a possibility at all, I tell them to audition, for then they have the choice to take it if it works with their schedule. I want the student to feel good about their decision and take dance for the right reasons.®

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February 2012 • CdS Sunrise

Staff Editorial Campus search and seizure

rights raises opinions among students

On the Corona school campus, teachers are allowed to search a student’s bag upon reasonable suspicion. Some seem to have a problem with this, only viewing the negative side, that it would be an invasion of student privacy. Others might take a legal opposition saying that it is a police officer’s job. However, there is a positive side. Police officers aren’t always there right away to take care of legal matter so the teacher must act immediately in a legal manner. Under the rule of en loco parentis, faculty members are

they shouldn’t have. They have the right to search it in order to keep everyone else safe. If a teacher hears a rumor that someone has a gun or drugs on their person, it is their legal obligation to perform a search and seizure action to ensure the safety of every student that they are responsible for. And rightly so. We should not feel the need to sacrifice our safety for our privacy. Students do have the right to not consent to searches, but if you don’t have anything in your ALYSSA GERWIG bag that shouldn’t be, then there’s suspect that a student most likely nothing in there that has something in their backpack teachers haven’t seen before. ® responsible for students once they are on campus; they act as a guardian. They need to be able to search your belongings if they

thumbsup thumbsdown a new feature where the Sunrise staff highlights the positives and negatives of our community THUMBS UP to the varsity wrestling team for placing sixth in the state championship. Second place went to sophomore Zach Walton and senior Steven Rodriquez; third place to senior Jay Tucker; freshman Daniel Cartagena took fourth; sophomore Ethan Tursini came home with fifth; and sophomore Glenn Farina and senior Justin Butler took sixth place. THUMBS DOWN to the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) for the increase in ticket prices for the sectional and state basketball tournaments. Tickets for regular season games were a reasonable $3. However, prices for students increased to $6 for sectionals and the first two rounds of the state playoffs, and $8 for semifinals and finals. Part of the experience for playoff teams is a large student section, and ticket prices shouldn’t prohibit students from attending. THUMBS UP to Mr. Corona for raising $1,700. The money goes to the Children’s Cancer Network to raise cancer awareness. Congratulations to the new Mr. Corona sophomore Blake Jones and other winners: senior Robby Choueiri for “Mr. Fundraiser,” sophomore Tevin Mayfield for “Best Smile,” junior Carter Colton for “Best Talent” and freshman Tanner Wilson for “Mr. Congeniality.” ®

Sunrise Staff

1001 E. Knox Road • Tempe, AZ • 85284 Editor-in-Chief | Preslie Hirsch Online Editor-in-Chief | Will Morgan Managing Editor | Jacqui Marzocca Online Managing Editor | Mason Kuluris Opinions Editor Stephanie Dayton Life & Times Editor Asada Njuguna Sports Editor Audrey Wheeless Photo Editor Lilly Berkley News Editor Grady Douglas Copy Editor Josh Ambre Adviser Kris Urban

Online Content Editor Devika Sharan Online Sports Editor Omar Soussi Business Manager Cassidy Kamerman Cartoonists Cassidy Kamerman, Alyssa Gerwig Staff Taylor Beese, Patrick Buck, Elizabeth Cheney, Sierra Crespin, Luke Frampton, Deborah Huard, Colin McCormick, Nadine Salameh, Nathan Samuels and Angelica Valenzuela

The Sunrise is an open forum for student expression and welcomes letters on all matters. The staff reserves the right to edit as required. All materials submitted for publication must be signed. Views and opinions contained herein are those of the author and not considered to be the opinions of the staff, adviser, administration or the Tempe Union High School District. Unsigned editorials reflect the views of the editorial board. Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

www.cdssunrise.com Front page photo by Lilly Berkley; front page design by Preslie Hirsch

Opinions • 7

Letter from the

Editor

Dear students and staff, Happy leap year! This is the first time Sunrise has published an issue on Feb. 29. If you didn’t catch it earlier in the issue, make sure you flip back to read our feature on leap year, written by managing editor Jacqui Marzocca. We like to cover things going on in the world around you in addition to news from Corona’s campus. This issue we included a staff editorial about search and seizure, and in coming issues we have more helpful features for everyday life. In addition to being a good resource, I feel running these stories are important for another reason. I think the more educated you are, the better citizen you’re going to be. I mean, think about it. Constituents who are educated, tolerant and aware of political and social issues are going to vote more responsibly, handle their money more wisely, likely obey the law more often, etc. Isn’t it something that in high school, government officials keep driving up the need for high AIMS scores, SAT/ACT scores and math and science questions, and things like health and physical education are required but there is no class for life skills. The head honchos of the education system really think “gee, let’s teach them calculus but not how to pay taxes or balance a check book, and that will make them successful in life.” Isn’t that the point of high school, to prepare you for the “real world”? I’d give not the school specifically but the public education system an F for getting kids prepared. I have grown up in an environment with a mother who’s really made it her constant duty to teach me life skills, and I am extremely thankful. Though it makes me sad that not everyone is blessed with such an opportunity. Isn’t that why health is required? To teach kids the hygiene practices they need to know in the event their parents don’t teach them at home? I want to know where the class is that teaches you about owning a credit card, voting responsibly, registering for classes and taking out loans, and other crucial things to be successful in life. Let’s be honest: If we all spent money and voted a little smarter, the community would be a heck of a lot better. I am in the process of writing an investigative story on this issue, so stay tuned in the upcoming issues as we go deeper into this topic. As always, we love to hear what you want to read about. You can send your suggestions to staff@cdssunrise.com, and don’t forget to stay updated on your sports scores and breaking news on www.cdssunrise.com. I hope everyone has a wonderful spring break! Sincerely,

Preslie Hirsch

February 2012 • CdS Sunrise

Sports • 8

Basketball wins state championship, 66-53

AUDREY WHEELESS Sports Editor

hat defines a champion? Hundreds of students in the cheering section; a 30-game winning streak (including tournament games); 24 cheerleaders and 14 pommies on the sidelines relentlessly cheering the team on; the dozens of parents who have never missed a game; the alumni who still attend; or maybe it’s the coach who has had Corona basketball blood running through his veins for decades. These are few of the many aspects that make 14 basketball players Division 1 state champions. The varsity boys basketball team finished the season with a 32-1 record, including a perfect 21-0 regularseason record. The Aztecs’ only loss came against Mesquite in an early-season tournament. This was the first time the team has won the championship since 1994, when head coach Sam Duane’s father, Sammy Duane Sr., was still coaching the team. “I’ll be honest with you, I felt really good going into this game,” Duane Jr. said. “I got a great feeling from the guys. I told the guys enjoy this, and play free and easy. This is the best team to come through Corona.” Student Council sold out two spirit buses on Friday after the 49-46 win over Desert Vista High School on Thursday night in the semifinals. Both buses combined

held 100 students; however, that was nothing compared to the sea of orange that ﬁlled Glendale’s Jobing.com Arena, a student section almost three times as large as the Cesar Chavez student section. The Aztecs have had a large fan base at both home and away games throughout the entire season. “Thank you fans. Right there, we’ve got the best cheering section in the state,” Duane Jr. exclaimed, pointing to the student section. The Corona players were quiet and focused during warm-ups but lit up as the lights in the arena turned off and the spotlight focused on them as their names were announced. The trophy was in the center of the court, visible for all players to see. With two minutes remaining in the game and Corona up by 16 points, the crowd starting chanting “We’re No. 1!” “All the hard work since freshman year pays off,” junior Braden Tennyson said. “It’s the ultimate goal in high school.” For senior Calaen Robinson, who signed to play basketball at ASU, it’s a positive end to his high school career. “This is unreal,” Robinson said. “I feel like it’s a dream, and it’s a dream come true. This is something everyone contributed to, from the students, to the cheerleaders, to the practice to everything. It’s unreal.” 

From top to bottom, left to right: State Trophy (photo by PATRICK BUCK). Sophomore Casey Benson (photo by LILLY BERKLEY). Senior Calaen Robinson (photo by PATRICK BUCK). Senior Andrus Peat (photo by LILLY BERKLEY). Senior Avery Mosss (photo by PATRICK BUCK). The team celebrating (photo by LILLY BERKLEY). Moss hugging Robinson (photo by LILLY BERKLEY). Junior Bryan Siefker (photo by LILLY BERKLEY). Coach Sam Duane (photo by LILLY BERKLEY). Students cheering (photo by LILLY BERKLEY).