April Issue

SUNRISE

April 2012 Vol. 34 No. 7

R OM Corona del Sol High School Tempe, AZ

Visit online at: cdssunrise.com

newspaper

PEDICURE location limousine jewelry CORSAGE boutonnierealterations

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turn to page 4 for the story...

Choir rehearses for highly anticipated POPS concert

Parent volunteers, seniors prepare for grad night

Former Corona graduates return to campus to coach

Choir’s annual POPS concert is coming up. This year sporting a theme of “Mega Stars,” which will feature many popular artists.

The end of the year is fast approaching, and along with it, the annual Senior Grad Night.

Don’t miss the details of this event.

Several men and women who went Corona now coach their former sport. Meet them and experience their Aztec pride.

more on page 3...

more on page 6...

more on page 8...

coronadelsol

The Sunrise

Fast Fact DavIKA ShArAn Staff Writer

Ever noticed the odd shape of our school when browsing Google Maps? Ever noticed why it sometimes takes so long to go from class to another? It’s because Corona del Sol has an odd structure: the shape of a triangle.

“It was because the solar panels were in a triangle shape and so were the support structures,” Director of Plant Operations Ben Anderson said.

Solar panels had been put into use for the school back in 1978 but were taken down because they weren’t generating enough power and not paying for themselves.

Another reason for the specific design on the building was for security.

“The purpose was to be able to shut down the whole campus,” Corona del Sol architect Jack Hoffman said.

On the campus there are two major entrances and exits located by the office and in the breezeway.

“It (the structure) provided

7

CdS Sunrise • April 2012

2 • News

...with Student Council sponsor BEN FORBES

security with double gating,” Hoffman said.

However various school events could still be held while at the same time, keeping the actual campus locked up and safe.

“The auditorium is outside the gates, so while the gates are closed, people may still go to the auditorium,” Hoffman said, “The same goes with the two gyms where events can be held while students cannot enter the campus.”

Along with the panels and security one more purpose was for the maintenance of the school.

“Because of the way the hallways are, they’re easier to clean and maintain,” Corona del Sol Plant Foreman Oscar Ramirez said.®

Nathan Samuels Staff Writer Q: Why did you become the Student Council sponsor?

A: Because it’s awesome! I believe in

increasing school spirit and always working on making Corona a better place.

I also think it’s a opportunity to teach students how to be good leaders and make a difference in the lives of other students.

Q: When did you become the student council sponsor?

A: This is my fourth year

sponsoring student council.

I took over the program with the valorous Mr. Aaron Gilbert when Eric Ladue, the former sponsor, retired. G and I became BFF’s instantly.

Q: What do you enjoy most being involved with Student Council?

A: Working with the students. They are just amazing.

Q: What do you want members to get out of the student council experience by the end of the school year?

FILE PHOTO

A: I want for them to feel like they were a part of something big. They have an opportunity to change lives for the better. We essentially have an organization whose sole purpose is to make this school and the surrounding

community a great place to be.

Q; Is being the sponsor more stressful than enjoyable? Or vice versa? Why?

A: Oh, there are days when it rains and pours... No, the enjoyment far outweighs the stress. Every time I feel weighed down with how much is on my plate, I say to myself “Shut up. You love this.” Then the other me says “oh yeah.”...Then I worry about who just said that.

Q: If someone were on the fence about running for office or applying for an appointed position, what advice or information would give them?

A: I tell them that I personally

make it a goal in life to do something that scares me or makes me uncomfortable. It’s a scary thing, running for Student Council. You are out there, fully exposed, with hundreds of students judging you. I tell them they should do it for that reason. That even though it’s hard, the experience itself will force them to grow as a person.

Q: What is your favorite memory or memories, from your days with Student Council?

A: Most of the time it’s when we have time to laugh and just hang out, usually when we’re done putting together something big like the bonfire or an assembly.® Photo by NADINE SALAMEH

April 2012 • CdS Sunrise

Life & Times • 3

Last Performance: Arsenic and Old Lace kills Taylor Beese Staff Writer

Choir’s POPS concert takes on new ‘Mega Stars’ theme Liz Cheney Staff Writer

On April 13-14, Corona premiered a play that kept audiences laughing all night. Actors and actresses endured rigorous rehearsals in order to entertain a fairly large crowd for two nights in a row.

“I think it’s the best play that we have done so far,” senior Alexa Frechette said. “Everyone was laughing.”

Aside from a few opening-night jitters, the play went exactly as planned.

“We mostly worry about forgetting Devika Sharan lines and skipping to a totally random The set of Arsenic and Old Lace. The play part of the play,” Frechette said. took place in the James C. Love auditoAnother thing the play director, rium April 13- 14.

Chris Carter, worries about is who to cast for what role to produce the best results in the end.

“We like to cast people who we believe will still play the role perfectly after four or five weeks of rehearsing.” Carter said.

Luckily the play went off without a hitch and everyone who went had a great time.

“I thought the actors played their parts in a believable way that kept me interested,” junior Sean Fields said. “I was never bored with the performance.”

The feeling that the play went well is mutual from the audience and the actors.

“We were very happy with the final product,” Carter said. “I could tell the audience appreciated the play.”®

Choir’s biggest concert of the year, POPS, is coming up the weekend of May 10, 11 and 12.

“This year’s theme is Mega Stars,” sophomore Gabrielle Geenen said.

The performers will sing songs from a variety of artists who are famous performers.

“So, anything from Tina Turner to Mick Jagger to Elvis Presley to Michael Jackson to Madonna to Katy Perry to Lady GaGa to Billy Joel and Elton John,” choir teacher Greg Herbert said.

The songs and artists will be well known to many students as well as teachers and parents.

“Some of the songs we’ll perform include Living on a Prayer, Billionaire, Mine, Single Ladies, Firework and several others,” sophomore Anna Pelley said.

Every year POPS has it’s own unique theme.

“Last year we did Broadway, the year before that was Pops 2K (music of the 21st Century), the year before that was Let’s Go to the Movies. This year’s theme is to recognize the great artists of all times,” Herbert said.

The concert runs with three nights

of entertaining performances made up of a small group act, followed by a solo act, then another choir act, and the pattern continues. This year’s performance should be a night to remember in comparison to past concerts.

“This year it uses way more lights and has better sound and display. There’s more choreography and it’s not classical songs,” Pelley said.

This concert isn’t the traditional choir concert. It’s lively, fun and full of a variety of things you wouldn’t usually expect.

“The show has everything from the big choir numbers with dancing to duets, small groups, solos, et cetera. All of this is accompanied by a live band,” Herbert said.

The cost to attend is $5 for students and $8 for adults.

The performance will be held in the auditorium. Mark your calendars and come out for a great night of song while supporting CdS Choir.

“Proceeds go to the choir program to help keep the program going and help pay for all of the effects used, people working and cover sheet music costs,” Pelley said. “As well as things we need to buy to help update the program and keep it running, such as buying songs to sing in the future.”®

VANESSA SANDOVAL Communications Faculty

“I want to see my students be engaged and excited about learning. I want to see them grow as people and develop as individuals.”

SCAN ME The college of you.

An EEO/AA institution.

Use a QR code reader app on your smart phone

REGISTER NOW

FOR SUMMER/FALL 2012 WWW.CGC.EDU

PECOS CAMPUS | Pecos Road & Gilbert Road | 480.732.7000 WILLIAMS CAMPUS | Southeast of Power Rd. & Loop 202 | 480.988.8000 SUN LAKES CENTER | Alma School Road & Riggs Road | 480.857.5500

4 • Special Feature

CdS Sunrise • April 2012

excited upperclassmen

and lucky underclassmen... prepare for what’s sure to be a

Bella Notté

(“beautiful night” in Italian) put on by the hardworking junior class

hosted at the glorious

The Venue Scottsdale

featuring tunes by DJ Living Energy.

Read the story for more details

of

pu

thetimecrunch

prom

on

a few days

and put together. But some may find themselves wondering, what goes into planning Prom? How long does it take? There is in fact much more that goes on behind closed doors than most people would ever guess.

“We held our first meeting last year about a week after the Class Elections and have been meeting at least once a week and sometimes twice a week,” Corwin said.

During their meetings, the junior class discusses what everyone has done individually to make sure everyone is on the same wavelength as far as their events go, be that Mr. Corona, a fundraiser, or Prom.

“During our meetings we normally take things step by step, trying to focus on one aspect of prom per meeting,” Larson said.

As far as finding the location goes, the junior class from last year booked the Venue Scottsdale for this year’s junior class.

As Corwin points out, “Most of the time, the best locations have a long wait list.”

The junior class has already booked the location for Prom 2013.

What is in fact the most interesting part of planning Prom is all of the different personalities of the junior class working together to plan. The elected officials often come from different social circles and, therefore, have to learn to work together and become a team.

“The Junior Class officers have worked so hard this year,” Corwin said. “They put on an incredible Mr. Corona and raised $1,925 for Prom and $597.33 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a total of $2,522.33 raised.

I have been extremely impressed with how well they have all worked together. There are never any issues during meetings and I know I can count on all of them doing their very best with whatever task they attempt. Wyatt Larson has done an exceptional job leading the junior class this year and I think the student body will be very happy with all of the hard work come May 5.” 

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2012 is in only

The excitement level continues to rise among students as Prom gets closer and closer. For most juniors, it’s their first Prom and for most seniors, it’s their last Prom. Either way, the expectations are high and the upperclassmen are ready for May 5 to come.

Now for all the details that kept everyone on their toes for months. Prom will be held at the Venue Scottsdale, located in Old Town Scottsdale. The theme will be “Bella Notté,” meaning “beautiful night” in Italian.

“It took about three months to pick the theme,” junior class President Wyatt Larson said.

“Once we saw The Venue, it was pretty easy to decide.”

Junior class sponsor Robert Corwin continued.

“Junior class spent a few meetings deciding between a lot of great theme ideas,” Corwin said. “They wanted to stay close to the feel of The Venue itself, since it is already set up for some themes. Ultimately, they settled on ‘Bella Notté,’ which fits perfectly with the Italian feel of the Venue.”

Prom will be held from 8 p.m. until midnight.

Ticket prices change over the course of time.

The first week, the tickets are $45 for individuals and $90 for couples. The second and third weeks, tickets were $50 for individuals and $100 for couples. Finally, the last week before and at the door the night of Prom, tickets will be $55 for individuals and $110 for couples.

The night of Prom there will be catering, pictures and entertainment. The Venue caters all of it’s own events, so drinks and treats will be provided. Duke Photography will be taking group and couple pictures while DJ Living Energy entertains everyone on the dance floor.

Those at Prom see all of the beauty and glamour after everything has been decorated

tti

PROM

AUDREY WHEELESS Sports Editor

2011-2012 school year

Jan. 10, 2012

Feb. 7, 2012

April 5, 2012

May 5, 2012

May 5 8 p.m.

The venue was chosen

Prom theme was picked

DJ was chosen

Prom is announced & tickets go on sale

Venue is prepared for the big night

The fun begins!

April 2012 • CdS Sunrise

Special Feature • 5

we asked random students around campus...

what gets

up in the morning?

YOU

CdS Sunrise • April 2012

6 • Life & Times

All you need to know about grad night JOSH AMBRE Copy Editor

As the 2012 school year comes to a close and the fated day of graduation approaches, many seniors would no doubt cherish the opportunity to enjoy one last night among the company of their peers.

Fortunately for seniors, this dream is easily reached thanks to Corona’s PTO and the annual Grad Night celebration.

“Senior Grad Night is a safe, alcohol and drugfree celebration at Kiwanis Recreation Center that will take place after the campus graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 24, 2012,” PTO President Sandy Iskandar said. “The event will last from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. Students will not be released prior to 4 a.m. without their parents being notified—regardless of their age.”

In addition to the benefits of socializing with friends and classmates in a relaxed, safe environment, Grad Night also features a wide variety of attractions for a price of $65 for students who register prior to the event and $100 for students who pay at the door.

“Students will have many choices of things to do, such as swimming in the wave pool, bouncing on inflatable attractions, playing sand volleyball and outdoor games, taking pictures in a photo booth, testing their luck in the casino playing BINGO and blackjack and dancing to music spun by a DJ,” Iskandar said. “Seniors who attend also have the opportunity to get a Henna tattoo, watch an amazing hypnotist show, look at huge picture boards about their time at Corona, as well as have

an endless buffet of food at their disposal. Each participant will receive a gift, but as many as 20 lucky winners will also take home prizes such as cash, TV’s, laptops, iPods, gift card assortments and other wonderful items that are donated to us by the community or purchased by the PTO,” Iskandar said.

While the amount of activities and means of entertainment are enormous, the Corona del Sol PTO is constantly working toward adding new and interesting attractions to the already lengthy list.

“The PTO is always reviewing and updating not only the policies and procedures, but also the activities,” Iskandar said. “We try to maintain the same quality of offerings each year, but we may switch out activities based on what is popular or recently made available. We have changed out some of the inflatable attractions and added a photo booth this year.”

As this is possibly the last opportunity seniors will have to interact with their high school friends before moving outside the walls of Corona forever, Iskandar highly recommends Grad Night to all seniors.

“All graduating seniors should be encouraged to attend this awesome event,” Iskandar said. “It truly is the best Grad Night in town and it provides an excellent opportunity for graduates to celebrate their accomplishment with friends in a safe, supervised environment.”

Seniors interested in attending Senior Grad Night can obtain a registration form at http://www. coronapto.org/ or by contacting Sandy Iskandar at sandy.iskandar@hotmail.com. ®

IMPORTANT SENIOR DATES 4/26 ASU Rep. - a representative will be guidance office during both lunches 4/26-27 ECAPS Make-Up 5/18 Complete Academic Requirements - all credits must be completed 5/18 All Debts Cleared - all class fees or library fees must be paid in the bookstore by this date 5/20 Baccalaureate Ceremony - arrive at 5p.m., meet in the James C. Love Center for the Arts.

5/24 Graduation Practice - arrive at 7:45 a.m., room assignment will be posted at the front office.

Those who don’t attend will not walk 5/24 Commencement Exercises - graduates arrive no later than 6:15 p.m.

5/24 Registration For Grad Night due - grad night forms must be turned in to your English teacher or the office by this date. If you register at the door price is raised to $100

Yearbook Signing Party

Who: All students are invited for $2 at the door What: Party to receive yearbooks a week early and

sign books with friends

When: Monday, May 7, Where: Big Gym Additional Info:

6-8 p.m.

- There will be a extensive slideshow of pictures - Pages, pens and covers will be sold - Limited number of books available if you didn’t buy one for $65 - List of who bought one outside Mrs. DiCesare’s room, E218

Opinions • 7

April 2012 • CdS Sunrise

Letter from the

Editor

Dear students and staff, The school year is winding down quickly, and for seniors like myself, the harsh reality of the end of high school is beginning to set in. Teachers bring it up, and countdowns until the last day of school grace whiteboards in classrooms. But when Mrs. Centanni came into senior English classes to discuss the graduation ceremony rules and regulations, it all began to feel too real.

As I look back on high school, I remember thinking “I can’t wait to get out of here” on numerous occasions. Corona is a great high school in many aspects, but I believe it’s common among our age group to desire more responsibility and freedom, and we grow impatient while waiting.

With only a few more weeks, I’m starting to reconsider that mindset. It’s weird to think that never again will I participate in another assembly, spirit week or football game. But beyond the activities, no longer will my teachers provide as much one-on-one attention or someone call my house to tell my mom I didn’t show up for class. You’d think that’s an awesome thing, but on the other hand, it’s a small sign that it’s time to grow up. We’re babied our entire lives with nurse’s offices right down stairs and administration that tries to not let us fail, but, as you get older, the more society expects you to take care of yourself.

I don’t worry about myself very much; I’m self-sufficent. I like to do my own grocery shopping, do all my college orientation and registration on my own, I’ve been doing my own laundry for years, etc. But it blows my mind how many seniors are still babied by their parents. Boys who can’t wash their own clothes, or kids who complain because their parents didn’t make or buy dinner. Or putting all the tasks aside, what about life skills, like budgeting? Having a job helps teach this, but even so, a large number of students seem to be handed endless amounts of money for gas, clothes and miscellaneous items. How are they going to know how to spend money appropriately when they go to college next year? Or when they’re grown-ups for that matter?

I always thought graduating from high school would be a great experience, but I’m slowly starting to see the bittersweet side.

The newspaper will produce one more issue before the year ends, and my favorite one at that. We include a section entirely dedicated to the senior class, featuring superlatives (best and most likely to’s), recognition of those receiving academic and athletic scholarships, as well as other tidbits for the entire student body to enjoy.

Have a wonderful last couple weeks of school, and look forward to our next and last issue!

Sincerely,

Preslie Hirsch

TV shows corrupting our generation STEPHANIE DAYTON Opinons Editor

Growing up, every Saturday morning I would sit in front of my TV with my breakfast and watch the morning cartoons. It was my weekend ritual. I would watch shows including CatDog, Hey Arnold, Rocket Power, Scooby-Doo and Sailor Moon.

As a kid you want to just sit back and relax, watching your favorite cartoon characters in action solving crimes, fighting bad guys or just having fun. I loved watching the kids in Rocket Power skateboard around and cause mischief.

Now, TV shows are corrupting our minds.

Shows like Jersey Shore, Secret Life of the American Teenager, Teen Mom and Mob Wives waste our time hour by hour. The fact that the companies who own the channels and shows actually put these people on is astonishing. Why on earth do we need to watch a house full of people getting drunk, dancing inappropriately and going out to party? Then, shows like Teen Mom and The Secret Life of the American Teenager put the idea into peoples’ minds that if they get pregnant they could end up on TV. But it isn’t all fame

thumbsup

and fortune; some have relationship problems, some are kicked out of their homes and some even pretend like they never had a child and continue to party, disregarding their responsibilities as a new parent.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t particularly care about what’s going on in the lives of the mob’s wives. I don’t care who they’re fighting with, what child is being arrested, who’s talking behind who’s back, which daughter is hooking up with an enemy; I just don’t care.

It’s painful to think that this is what our world enjoys watching now. It’s just sad how we’ve lost our innocence. We went from watching cartoons about superheroes and PATRICK BUCK villains to partying adults who need to grow up and get a real job.

I wish that our country would go back to loving TV shows that don’t corrupt our minds every minute of every day. We should be trying to make our country a better place by teaching good morals and respect not teaching them that getting pregnant at a young age is OK and that drinking and being on reality shows are now jobs. ®

&

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a new feature where the Sunrise staff highlights the positives and negatives of our community THUMBS UP to the lip dub. The lip dub will be shown on the last broadcast of [cdstv.] The meeting for Lip dub was held April 9 and the recording took place on the 11th. The song is “Hey Ya” by Outkast.

THUMBS DOWN to the cost of Prom.

The price of a couple tickets, for the biggest night for seniors, right now is $100.

Most people would think that it’s not expensive for such a huge night, but add every thing up, with the dress, ride, food and more, seniors will practically go broke just to attend Prom.

THUMBS UP to the students elected into studco. The soon to be senior class officers are Grady Douglas, President; Rocky Camarena, Vice President; Patrice Mortiz, Secretary; Deydeep Kothapalli, Treasurer; Leonardo Santos, Boys Rep; and Tyler Foggat, Girls Rep. The officers for the soon to be junior class is Jake Busby, President; Justice Onwordi, Vice President; Tim Coen, Secretary; Blake Jones, Treasurer; Patrick Askins, Boys Rep; and Maddie Douglas, Girls rep. The soon to be sophomore officers are; Cole Richwine, President; Russell Johns, Vice President; Amanda Johnson, Secretary; Rachel Burkholder, Treasurer; Tanner Wilson, Boys Rep; and Maggie Jackson, Girls Rep. Congratulations to the 2012–13 Student Body officers: Wyatt Larson, President; Nathan Samuels, Vice President; Kim Valentine, Spirit Director; Madeleine Caldwell, Secretary; and Jovonnie Quintero, Treasurer.®

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.

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 design by Preslie Hirsch

8 • Sports

April 2012 • CdS Sunrise OF THE

®

athlete issue: AUDREY WHEELESS Sports Editor

Sports are often more than just sports for many young people; it’s a lifestyle.

For senior baseball pitcher Michael Gammon, who has been playing since he was 5 years old, he lives and breathes the game.

“I just love the sport and I enjoy playing it,” Gammon said. “Also, my brother plays so I would always be playing on his team; baseball just became my life.”

Gammon has played for Corona all four years and been on varsity for the past two. Gammon has also played on club teams since he was 10 years old.

“I started out on the Scottsdale Sluggers, then played for the AZ Clash for a few years until I started playing for the Angels scout team my freshman year,” Gammon said.

Unfortunately with most sports, the chance of injury is always a risk athletes take. Gammon hurt his arm pitching in November when he heard a pop and felt a sharp pain in his elbow.

“This season I have been working through an arm injury,” Gammon said.

“It’s called scapular winging, and that caused me to torque my elbow, which led to elbow pain. I got an MRI done in January and they said it was my ligament, but, thankfully, it isn’t torn so I won’t need to get Tommy John surgery; thanks to the therapy I’ve been getting better.”

Gammon has received support from the Aztecs while they have slowly gotten him back onto the field.

“He is a great kid and we had high hopes for him this season,” assistant coach George Sanchez said. “He’s capable of a lot. He just hasn’t been able to show it because of his arm injury. Originally his role on the team was going to be bigger, but with his injury, his role has been reduced a lot.”

Gammon has been in therapy for four months and only recently started playing first base again. He had to stop throwing for three months as directed by his doctor.

Michael Gammon “It’s the worst feeling being injured and not being able to pitch,” Gammon said. “Every game I just want to get on the mound and pitch.”

Despite having his current arm injury, this is not the first time Gammon has been injured. Although Gammon is a first baseman and pitcher now, he used to be a catcher as well. Gammon caught from the time he was 10 years old until last year.

“I used to catch a lot but I started having a lot of pain in my knees,” Gammon said. “The doctor said that I have bursitis and that’s the main reason I don’t catch anymore.”

Even with Gammon recovering from his current injury, he is already focusing on his future both for the rest of the season, and after high school.

“I hope I will be able to pitch this season,” Gammon said. “I’m going back to the doctor on the 17 to hopefully get cleared to pitch, which might have me back for the playoffs.”

Once the Corona season has ended, Gammon has to focus on his baseball career after high school.

“I hope to move on to college ball and if I do well enough, I would love to play professional baseball,” Gammon said. “But first, I plan on getting healthy. I also plan on doing what I need to do in order to be a team player and do what I need to do to be able to pitch next year.”

Gammon has been in contact with Arizona Christian University in Paradise Valley and they are working on a scholarship. The scholarship would offer Gammon a spot on the team and if he can get healthy this season, he will have a spot in the pitching rotation. He has yet to commit to ACU. While Gammon recovers from his injury and decides what he will do next year, he has a solid support system at home.

“My parents are my biggest supporters,” Gammon said. “They go to every game and they make sure I have everything I need. They would do anything to make sure that I am on time and I have all the right equipment; they want me to succeed as much as possible.” ®

Alumni come back to coach their former sports OMAR SOUSSI Online Sports Editor

For most students, once they graduate from Corona, they don’t come back. But for others, they come back to coach the sport they played in high school.

The alumni who have come back as current coaches include Chris Centanni, George Sanchez, Chris Rodriguez, Tiffany Summers, Tim Kelly, Rob Jackson, Steven Harper, Ari Rodriguez, Jon Whaley, Ashley and AliPhoto courtesy of SAM DUANE cia Bogdanski, Sean Thornton, Andy Strom, John Wochner, Sam Duane,

Brynne Evans, Matt Arneson and Ryan Baughman.

Since the school was built in 1977, alumni have been coming back to help athletes become better than they were.

“When it’s a coach that was an alumni here at Corona, they know how it was run back in the day; they bring back the old ways,” said track member junior Wyatt Larson.

Some coaches come back to teach in addition to coaching and others have a job elsewhere and coach on the side; even student teachers help coach.

“When you have a coach that is a Corona alumni, you know they care a lot and it speaks volumes,” track and football player sophomore Nick Martinez said.

For some of the coaches, coming back to coach where they played and went to school is a feeling that cannot be explained by words.

“I always dreamed of coming back to where I

went to school to work with the kids that came from the same place I came from,” varsity baseball assistant coach George Sanchez said.

The coaches feel better about their staffs when alumni are a part of the team.

“I think its great because they understand the expectation of what we want in our program and they understand the pride in our program,” varsity basketball coach Sam Duane said.

For all these coaches one thing is for sure, Photo courtesy of TIM KELLY they have a lot Aztec pride to come back to their old stomping ground. ®