Vol. 5 Issue 8 No. 42
May 9th, 2018
WE ARE ALM18TY!
Ryan Perkins Editor-In-Chief To Be Elizabeth Schneider Krystal Mailman Staff Writers
With seniors leaving us to go on and achieve great things in their life, we keep the annual tradition of the Purple Press going by interviewing graduating attendees of Clovis High School. We interviewed Jadan Anderson, Austin Hodges, Corde Mailman, Jace Piepkorn, Adilene Rodriguez, and Alex Thompson.
be there and I was able to see the culmination of the time and work everyone put into drill. Jace: My sophomore year, my buddy Damron and I were chosen to be the “victims” at the drunk driving assembly. I was so nervous to be up in front of everyone that I could barely talk - that had never happened to me before. It was like the moment that my stage fright gene decided to mutate and make its grand appearance. I don’t know if it is my favorite memory, but it is my most memorable for sure. I still suffer from stage fright and I still blame it on that day. Adi: My favorite memory of being at CHS was being able to be a part of a giant family. Being a part of yearbook and getting to meet all the people and birthing a book that will last a lifetime. Also, being part of the Wildcat Marching Band, all the band trips and all the people I got to meet and enjoy those four years of my life will be the many memories I will carry with me. All the amazing music we played and meeting my life long friends and meeting the love of my life. If I was never a part of this family, I would be a lost soul. Alex: My favorite memory here at CHS would probably have to be being a part of Clovis Wildcat football. I didn’t play my senior year, but it was still a privilege to be able to play for coaches like Hatley, Cal,and Davis.
Jadan: I’d love to be remembered as helpful. For example, I’ve been working on a binder that is a compilation of resources for the college application process. This will be available for students next year in the library—ask Ms. Blaylock about it! Austin: I think the biggest legacy that I want to leave behind is my editorship of both the Purple Press and the Yearbook. It has been an amazing last 3 years of my life. Through all of it’s ups and downs, I can truly say that I am going to miss it and I wish my successor best of luck in the upcoming years and that they will make an amazing Newspaper and Yearbook, better than mine. Corde: I think I fall into the category of everyone just wanting to be remembered. I know that I wanted my major mark to be in JROTC (I was only kind of involved in it if you can’t tell). This year, my goal was to get the program to a place where they can grow into a nationally recognized program, and I feel like with the help of my other staff members we’ve set up the following generations for this recognition and success. I also wanted to be someone people can look up to, or just make laugh with memories they have with me and brighten their dayseven if just a little bit. Jace: I want to leave a legacy of happiness, contentment, and kindness. High school does not have to be terrible. I want people to be happy everyday and to help others to be happy and
content at school. Adi: The legacy that I want to leave behind is, no matter how poor you are, how different you think you are, or how many hardships you have in your life, you should always try to make the best out of them, and push yourself to be better. Always strive to make this world a better place. Alex: That’s a tough question, but I remember sophomore year in History, Coah Hatley asking this exact same question. My answer then was I wanted to be remembered as the Christian I am. Looking back, I hope I accomplished that.
What is your favorite memory Do you have any advice for at CHS? upcoming juniors and seJadan: My favorite memory at niors? CHS was Valentine’s Day of my Jadan: Take challenging classjunior year. I passed out meme es. To me, learning makes living cards with sayings like, “r u a more enjoyable. I find myself sharpie? B/c ur ultra fine” and more in awe with the universe “you Barack my world” (with now than ever because I underObama’s face). It was so great stand it a little bit better. Taking to see my friends, teachers, harder classes is more than and even perfect strangers get just learning new things—it’s a little kick out of something so about unlocking different ways simple! to learn. It’s a process that Austin: It is actually fairly reteaches you a lot about your cent. When Alex Thompson, Adi subject matter but even more Rodriguez, Mr. Martinez and about yourself, including your I were in Mr. Martinez’s office strengths and where you need picking songs for the Graduato improve. Doing this will be tion Slideshow, Alex started to difficult (AP Chemistry was the play the song “Congratulations” bane of my existence), but if by Post Malone and he started you can resist defining yourself dancing. Next thing we knew, by the numbers associated Alex was bouncing up and with school (grades, GPA, SAT down on a desk in there that he scores, etc.) and focus on the and Mr. Martinez were sitting on learning process, you’ll see and the desk broke causing Mr. What legacy do you want to definite improvements in your Martinez and Alex to fall down. leave behind? abilities to adapt and think critiIt was so funny at cally. the time and Adi Austin: Don’t rush and I were trying it. Enjoy these to hold back our years because laughing. I would when it’s gone, it’s have to say that gone. Also, don’t is my favorite procrastinate, it memory. gets you nowhere. Corde: Prom Corde: Enjoy 2018 was defiwhat time you nitely a favorite have in high memory of mine. school because it Another would will be over before probably be NM you know it. Military Skills Jace: Be nice. Drill Meet 2018 Take upper level because all of math classes (I the teams were dropped out of From Left to Right: Austin Hodges, Alex Thompson, and Adilene Rodriguez so excited to
2 Purple Press, May 9, 2018 Calc at Christmas. I should have listened to my mom and stuck it out). Be involved. Go to the football games, the basketball games, the volleyball games, the baseball games, the soccer games. Go and cheer and yell and act goofy and be happy. This place is what you make of it. Adi: My advice to junior and seniors is to stay true to yourself, you do not have to change for anyone. Eventually, you will find the people who love you for you. Keep in mind that it’s Jadan Anderson the journey not the destination that counts. When we tell you to out who I was as a person. It enjoy the moments, WE MEAN wasn’t all bad though, I enjoyed the memories I made with some THAT. Whatever you do, DO great people. NOT procrastinate, it will make Alex: Favorite year is probably your life 10 times harder. Turn Senior year, least favorite is your work in and don’t be lazy. probably Junior year. Alex: Just the same advice I got: Don’t be afraid to live in the moment, because one day your going to look back and wish you What was your favorite elective? could go back in time. Jadan: That’s definitely a tie between choir and tennis. I love What was your favorite and music and singing, but tennis least favorite year? has my heart and so do my Jadan: Senior year was both: during the first semester, it was teammates. I will never be able to choose one. my least favorite because it felt Austin: Surprisingly, Media like an obstacle to overcome Graphic I and II and being the to finally get to graduation. Throughout the second semes- student aid in both of those classes. I have enjoyed honing ter, I experienced a change in my skills with design and it has attitude because I realized my time in this routine and with the really helped me realize what I want to do with my life. I am not people I have grown to love saying that I didn’t enjoy Yearwas limited. I made it a point to enjoy the time left, and that has book or Newspaper, I did, but I really feel like I just enjoyed the made senior year my favorite time in my graphic classes. year. Austin: I would have to say that Corde: AFJROTC. I also really loved French. while all my years at the high Jace: I don’t think this will school have had their ups and downs, Senior Year would have surprise too many people but my favorite elective is baseto be my favorite. It was relaball. From the time I was in 8th tively stress free and I had little grade, baseball has been my worry concerning my grades. favorite part of the day. I would have to say my least Adi: My favorite electives were favorite year was Junior year, it’s true when they say it is your Band and Plainsman. I love all the great teachers and students hardest year. I met. I will forever be grateful. I Corde: Sophomore year was learned many great life lessons by far my favorite and my least and I will always carry these favorite was junior year. people with me. Jace: My least favorite year Alex: Yearbook, because I got was my junior year. My schedule was hard. I took AP English the ability build a friendship with Adi. She is so FREAKING and Pre-Calc and Anatomy. AWESOME!! I had to study a lot and my schedule was full. But, I was still happy at school. My favorite Who was your favorite teacher? year has been my senior year. Jadan: I’ve got to give shout My schedule is easy compared outs to Mr. Pickard (from to my junior year and I’m just comfortable on campus. I know CHSFA), Coach Sena, Coach the majority of the teachers and Merritt, Ms. Howalt, and the great Mr. Armstrong—they are staff and I hang out with aweall exceptional! My absolute some people. favorite, however, is the Ms. Adi: I would have to say Junior Majkrzak, my junior year Anatyear was my absolute favoromy & Physiology and senior ite. My least favorite year was sophomore year, it was the year year AP Biology teacher. She is the kind of teacher with whom there was drama everywhere, I can go full bio-nerd mode on and I was also trying to figure
Ms.Gibson is a close second.
Jace Piepkorn and then, the very next second, discuss my favorite TV shows. Though the content itself can be difficult, Ms. Majkrzak always thinks of her students first. Somehow, she manages to use the application of her subject matter to make it an appealing topic to all. What I admire most about her is that, without fail, she is constantly looking for ways to improve the entirety of her curriculum, including its delivery. I believe that her students walk out of her classroom a little more prepared for further education than when they first walked in. (They definitely know a little more about cell organelles.) She really is one of Clovis High School’s most valuable assets. Ms. M, thank you for all you do! I can’t wait to hear about your contributions to CHS after I’m gone. Austin: Mr. Martinez is my favorite teacher. Corde: Major Fields. Jace: I have two favorite teachers. Coach Hatley was my AP World History teacher my sophomore year and I learned a ton of stuff in his class, but more importantly I wanted to be in that class. We didn’t just read out of the textbook in his class. We discussed and debated. I’m Lutheran and he still managed to teach me a thing or two about Martin Luther that I did not learn during my confirmation classes. Ms. Howalt is also my favorite teacher. She is always happy and her attitude in class made me want to work. Lennie and George will always be two of my favorite characters because of Ms. Howalt. Adi: My favorite teachers were Ms. Majkrzak and Ms. Loya. Ms. Majkrzak has a great way of teaching science to where I understand. She’s the reason why I went into a field that is science heavy, and why I want to major in Biology. Ms. Loya was someone I could always come to talk to. She was a great believer in me. Alex: My favorite teacher is Ms. Howalt, she always believed in me. She’s so incredible.
How did you deal with stress? Jadan: For me, the best way to deal with stress is to take measures to avoid it in the first place. That, however, doesn’t always work. So the secondbest strategy is to face the stress-inducing situation head on. My stress comes from anticipation of an end result, so I try to get to the end result quicker. Austin: I usually tend to deal with stress well. I am not saying I haven’t had my blow ups, I have, but usually I don’t let much stress me out. Corde: I listen to music and I vent my frustrations to my mom. Jace: I pray. I also go to the gym and play baseball. And I go to my mom and have her help me deal with the problem. Adi: Personally, I cry my eyes out for a really long time, and then remind myself that if I’m not going to do something about it then no one is. I get up and do what I have to do. Alex: I don’t. How do you feel about going to college? Jadan: While I’m anxious, I’m definitely excited! This might sound weird, but I look forward to having the way I think wrecked and reformed again and again by the classes I take and the people I meet. Austin: I am excited to go to NMSU. I believe that the experience is going to be one of the best of my life and I can’t wait to go. Corde: Excited but terrified. Jace: I am nervous, but I am excited to start something new. I am nervous about being 8 hours away. Being at home is all I have ever known and not seeing my parents and my little brother everyday is going to be an adjustment. When my sister left for college, it was hard on everyone. I am excited because this is the next chapter and the natural progression of things. I am ready to experience life outside of Clovis. Adi: I am super excited to attend college, I am excited to not have to take classes that teach me the same concepts every year, and not having to take classes that I’m forced to take. I will be able to focus on my career alone, and that’s so exciting! Also, I will be living on my own and it’s just an awesome feeling of finally being an individual without having to worry about what my parents think of me. Alex: I’m not going to college. I intend on going into a internship
at my church and following my heart in the ministry. What are some of your future plans? Jadan: After undergrad, I plan to attend medical school, preferably through a PhD/MD program. At this point, I can’t see myself doing anything except medical missions or biological research following the completion of medical/graduate school education. I’d love to join organizations like Doctors Without Borders or Samaritan’s Purse. Austin: I have a lot of future plans and future back-up plans. Plan A consists of becoming a Graphic Designer, making Tshirts and banners. Plan B is to own a local game store, selling Magic the Gathering cards and board games. Plan C is to study to become a film director. Plan D is to become a photographer. Plan E is to become a college professor teaching Graphic Design courses. Plan F is to become a Computer Programmer. Plan G, become an IT guy. Corde: I’m getting the chance to go to flight school this summer, so a lot of it depends on how that goes. If I really like it, I want to join the Air Force and fly C-130s. If I don’t, then I want to major in psychology and work in either criminal psychology or grief counseling. Jace: I will leave in the fall to attend Newman University in Wichita, KS where I will study to get my BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and continue my baseball career as a Newman Jet. That should cover the next four years. Adi: My future plans are to move to Albuquerque get my basic done at Central New Mexico College, then after a year or two move to Mesa, Arizona and get my Bachelors in Nursing. Then, start my career as a nurse. Alex: With the internship, we are going to have the opportunity to go through a series of classes and at the end of the summer we will be going to Amsterdam to tell Afghanistan refugees about the Bible and who God is. How would you describe your high school experience? Jadan: My high school experience was very busy, but my fellow classmates and amazing friends have made the last four years fly by. Austin: High school has had its ups and downs, but I can definitely say that I will miss it and I have had a great time. Corde: It felt long and short. The individual days seemed to
drag, but months was always reand weeks would stricted of many go by so fast. things. Overall it was a Alex: Man, I’m not pretty good exsure if i’m even perience. There ready yet. are definitely lessons I’ll be taking Is there anything away from my you wanted time here. to do in high Jace: I learned school but a lot. I grew up a didn’t? lot. I made some Jadan: Academilifelong friends. cally, I regret not Adi: A weird doing the doubleexperiment gone math year—I look right. I was put up to everyone Corde Mailman into situations taking AP Calcuthat helped me lus, and I wish I become who I am. I learned could’ve struggled with them as self-worth and failure. I’ve a senior. Also, I wish I was cholearned that when in doubt, sen to participate in just one of finish it out. Always stay true the pep rally competitions! They to yourself, and always treat always looked so fun! people right. Austin: Not really, I feel like I Alex: To me, high school was a have done everything I wanted life changing experience, beto do in high school. cause I actually found out who Corde: Not really. I do wish I I was made to be and what my would have stayed with gympurpose on this Earth is. nastics. Jace: I wanted to play basIn three words describe your ketball. I played basketball my time at Clovis High School. freshman year and loved it, but Jadan: 1) Busy 2) Happy 3) basketball season and baseMemorable ball overlap so the choice was Austin: It’s been great. always baseball and going into Corde: I need sleep. baseball season 4 weeks late Jace: Happy, happy, happy. was just not an option for me. Adi: Life changing experience. Adi: I have always wanted to Alex: D’s get degrees. have a sleepover in the bandhall at night and roam freely, How long have you been wait- play the piano all night and just ing to get out of your parents’ have fun with friends without house? the band directors knowing. Jadan: I wouldn’t say I’ve Alex: Bring more people to been counting down the days knowing Christ. until I move out. It’s more like, now that the time is here, I am Finish this sentence: I will anticipating a new adventure always remember… that happens to involve leaving Jadan: …a pencil with a good home. eraser. Austin: I haven’t been waiting Austin: ...the time I spent at to get out of my parent’s house. CHS and the friends I have Corde: About 4 years. made. I will always remember Jace: It’s a natural progression. the fun times and the amazing I am ready to try it out and put teachers I have met. some of the things my parents Corde: ... my drill teams. taught me into action or to the Jace: ...playing baseball and test, but I’m going to miss my my teammates at CHS. home. Adi: ...the moment Alex broke Adi: I’ve been practically waitthe desk by bouncing up and ing my entire life. I see myself down on the counter when it as a free roaming spirit and came down Mr. Martinez came living in Clovis is not going to with it and he fell in slow mofulfill the way I want to live. tion. We laughed for 20 minutes Also, it’s not about my parents, straight. I love them with everything I Alex:... you, have, they were the ones who everyday that we had, encouraged me to continue my all the good all the bad, education. They have provided I’ll keep them here inside. everything I have ever needed. All the times that we shared, However, having a little more every place everywhere. freedom without your parents You touched my life. telling you what to do everyday Yeah, one day we’ll look back, is something I look forward to we’ll smile and we’ll laugh. because all my life I was meant But right now we just cry. to believe things in a certain ‘Cause it’s so hard to say goodway and having a mind of my bye.” own sounds awesome, and I -Hannah Montana
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Which college do you plan on going to? Jadan: I am blessed to be attending Yale University in the fall! I applied as a History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health major focusing on Global Health, but I also have strong interests in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Religious Studies, and Global Affairs with a concentration in International Development. Austin: I plan on going to New Mexico State University for a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with an emphasis in Graphic Design. Corde: Texas A&M. Jace: I am attending Newman University in Wichita, KS. Adi: The colleges I plan to attend are Central New Mexico Community College and Mesa Community College. How have you changed from your freshman year? Jadan: I’m more likely to start a conversation with a stranger now than in my freshman year. That’s a testament to the confidence and much needed social skills I’ve gained from my extracurriculars. Austin: I have really stepped out of my comfort zone and I have grown my confidence. I am more outgoing than I have ever been. Corde: I used to be REALLY quiet and shy, but I like to think that I’ve come out of my box since the start of high school. I also started out freshman year in this emo-wannabe stage, but thank God I’ve moved on from that. Jace: I found my favorite gym and gained 40 pounds. I stand about 4 inches taller and have straighter teeth. I swing a bat harder and Lord knows I can run faster. Adi: I have changed drastically, I figured who I wanted to be in life, I am more open-minded, I grew a great appreciation for education. I also learned that perspective was such an enormous key to life. I finally became who I wanted to be as an individual. Alex: I’ve found myself to be more social and outgoing, I used to be quiet and awkward. Which activities were you involved in? Jadan: At the high school: - After taking the prerequisite Sports Medicine courses, I was an athletic training student assistant as a junior. - I’ve sung in the choir for all four years! As a junior and senior, I had the honor of singing in the Chamber Choir, serving
4 Purple Press, May 9, 2018 as president for the latter year. - I played tennis all four years of high school! I was bumped to varsity as a sophomore and worked my way to team captain for senior year. - I was inducted into the CHS Chapter of the National Honor Society as a sophomore and served as the president as a senior. Austin: Yearbook and News-
paper. I also did a lot of poster designs for administration. Corde: AFJROTC for all four years, band my freshman year, and NHS my junior and senior year. Jace: I played football, basketball, and baseball my freshman year. I played football and baseball my sophomore year and then it was baseball, baseball, baseball. Other than that
- I went to all the games and cheered on the Wildcats. Adi: I was involved in band for six years, I was head drum major my senior year. I was also involved in National Honor Society, Upward Bound, and Plainsman. Alex: Yearbook, Purple Press, and I did play football for a few years.
The Purple Press would like to wish these students well as they graduate and become distinguished alumni. May their journey be great and their lives prosperous.
Remember The Second Amendment
Ryan Perkins Editor-In-Chief To Be
In response to Guest Writer Cielo Rodriguez’s article on the #NeverAgain movement, I wrote this article, with help from Victoria Wagner, to show an opposing side of gun reforms. I found a diverse group of people that are in an age group of 15-18 years old on various forms of social media to ask questions to. We interviewed Savannah Piche, who attends Mullin ISD in Mullin, TX, Vernon Rudolph Jr., who attends Warwick High in Newport News, VA, Jaxon Inge, who attends Texico High School in Texico, NM, Ryan Perkins, who attends Clovis High School in Clovis, NM, Thomas McAuley, who attends Yelm High School in Yelm, WA, and Stephen Torres, who attends Hereford ISD in Hereford, TX. With all the recent shootings going on in America, are you scared to go to school? Savannah Piche: No, I’m not scared to go to school, because I know I have no reason to be scared when I have GOD on my side to be there and watch over and protect me. Vernon Rudolph Jr.: No, I’m not scared to go to school, but if something happened I would know what to do. Jaxon Inge: I do not feel scared to go to school, mainly because I trust the Texico School District. Ryan Perkins: There are certain days that I do feel wary on going to school because of all the threats that have happened since Clovis’ shooting in August. Thomas McAuley: No, I’m not afraid to go to school, my school has enough safeguards in place that it feels like a safe community. Stephen Torres: No, I feel like if there is a problem with anybody that is going through a rough spot in their life, that there will always be at least one person to help them fight through it. What’s your biggest concern with the gun issues in the country? Savannah Piche: I think that my biggest issue with the whole
gun issue would have to be that people are blaming everything on the guns. It’s not the guns who are killing people, it’s the person behind the gun. Vernon Rudolph Jr.: My biggest concern about the guns in this country is that if the wrong people get ahold of the guns they might use them in the wrong matter. Jaxon Inge: My biggest concern is how easy it is to get a gun in today’s world. Ryan Perkins: My biggest concern with this country’s gun issues is that the guns will be taken from citizens who are responsible and mindful about their gun ownership, and that non-lawabiding citizens will find ways to get guns. That worries me the most. Thomas McAuley: My biggest concern with guns is all the people who are uninformed and try to overreact anytime something bad happens. Stephen Torres: My biggest concern with gun related violence is the use of the gun and how it is obtained. What do you think is the best solution to stop the violence in our schools? Savannah Piche: I don’t think there’s any solution that would solve violence in our schools, because you don’t know everyone’s background and home life. I think that to help the issue, people at school, or anywhere for that matter, should not talk down to people. I think that part of the problem that the kid that goes and commits these acts either got bullied or had rumors spread about them, and they take all they can until they just blow up and want to get back at the people who hurt them and don’t care whom they hurt in the process. Vernon Rudolph Jr.: I think a solution on getting the violence removed from our schools is to absolutely block the phones when we are at school. This way we can learn and not worry about any violence on who’s trying to meet up and jump or fight. Jaxon Inge: I do not believe in gun control because I think that the main problem is in the heart.
It is the person doing the killing, not the gun. Ryan Perkins: I think the best way to solve the violence in our schools would to offer support groups, personally communicate with students, and just to be there for each other. This world is lacking a sense of family. Thomas McAuley: Education on the dangers and safety procedures of firearms for everyone from a young age. Stephen Torres: I think that the best solution is to offer better counseling to all staff of the school district and observation of everyone’s problem(s). What are you stances on gun control? Savannah Piche: I think that making it to where only people over 21 can purchase ammunition and guns is not going to help any, because most people don’t need to buy either to get it in their possession. I also think that trying to ban guns is not a good idea at all. If you ban guns it’s not only going to make a whole bunch of people mad, but just because you ban something doesn’t mean that someone can’t get ahold of one if they wanted one bad enough. So my point is that the gun control laws people are trying to put in place isn’t going help the violence or even the shootings going on everywhere. Vernon Rudolph Jr.: If you know how to control a gun and you know what to do with one and use it at the right time, I say you can have a gun as long as you know how to use it. But if you don’t know how to use the gun, then you have no reason having a gun at all. Jaxon Inge: It is physically im-
possible to take away every gun. No matter what the government tries to do, people will still have access to guns. Ryan Perkins: My stance on gun control is to keep it as is. People are going to find guns no matter what. Thomas McAuley: Gun control should be as simple as possible without relinquishing government control over the sale of firearms. Stephen Torres: My stance on gun control is that it is an unsuccessful way to make a city safer. There will always be a way to obtain illegal firearms and there is nothing that gun control can stop. Where is the best place to start healing after a tragedy? Savannah Piche: I think that the best place to start healing after a tragedy would be with yourself. What I mean by that is that, yes, you should mourn, but after that you need to be able to tell yourself that you’re better, not just tell everyone else that you are to make them feel better. Vernon Rudolph Jr.: The best place to start healing after a tragedy might be that the school districts need to get together and meet on a weekend and have a big talk about the tragedy and talk more about gun safety. Jaxon Inge: The best place to start healing is at church. Ryan Perkins: I think that the best place to start healing is in yourself, then with each other. When a major event happens in a community, we unite. It’s human nature. Thomas McAuley: I assume you start with counseling the people related to the casualties as well
as people with pre-existing conditions of depression and mental health issues. Stephen Torres: That is all up to
personal preference. Some might find some assurance at a place of worship or with family.
Austin Hodges Out Going Editor-In-Chief
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I would like to thank each and every person involved in this interview for graciously giving me their time. This article is solely
meant to inform, not offend, thank you for reading.
People such as Alex Thompson, Donovan Hackett, Adi Rodriguez, Ryan Perkins, Cielo Rodriguez, Matti Dosher, and my sister, Destiny Hodges, have been such a blessing and they have made my job so much easier. I want to talk about these people specifically a little bit. Destiny, Matti, Cielo, Adi, and Alex were my Editors this year for the
been amazing. She has done so much to make this Yearbook run smoothly. Last year, she was in charge of making sure all of our pictures were organized and uploaded. We also gave her a lot of responsibility having her help us do some of our Senior Dedications. She did an amazing job, and proved herself. She earned her spot as an editor this year.
Yearbook. Destiny really stepped up this year. She joined Yearbook because she wanted to spend time with me in a class I loved. She started out staying with just her small group of friends doing the work she was assigned. However, as the year went by she really just improved and started to show leadership among the other students, so as an anonymous decision by the editors, we made her an editor in her first year of being in Yearbook at CHS. She has been an amazing help. I have loved having her in the class. I love you, Destiny. Cielo and Matti have done such an amazing job. I love that they showed the creativity they expressed in designing pages, and the leadership they showed among their fellow classmates, and I wish them, as well as Destiny, the best of luck next year. I have been in Yearbook with Adi and Alex since our Sophomore year. Adi has
Alex has been great. We joined both Purple Press and Yearbook at the same time. He started out quiet and to himself but has blossomed and branched out becoming such an amazing leader and writer. He is an incredible person who has had a lot to offer to the class. I am glad I can call him a friend. Ryan just came out of the blue. When the year started this year, I really didn’t know who was going to replace me. At the time, we had one Junior and I really did not believe she was ever going to be ready to become an Editor. But Ryan showed up, and he completely showed me that he was ready to become an Editor from the start. He has been extraordinary, becoming one of the best writers we have to offer. Good luck to you next year, Editor-In-Chief to be. Donovan has been an extremely good friend over the twelve years I have known him. We have had our ups
and downs, but through it all he has been one of the most amazing friends I have known. But he is not just a friend, he is a brother. He has become an amazing writer and proofer. I hope he has an amazing life because he deserves it for putting up with me for so long. These people have been the reason I have made it through Mr. Martinez’s classes. Mr. Martinez has been both one of the best teachers I have had and one of the most challenging. He has made these last three years so much fun and I want to say that I was glad to be in his class. I am going to miss CHS. I am going to miss all of the friend that I have made at CHS. I am going to miss all of the good times I have had and all of the memories I have made. CHS has made an impact on me and I am grateful. I know I will miss it, but I am so excited to use my experience here to go and make myself a better life. I will always be a Wildcat.
Three Incredible Years!
What can I say about the last three years? What can I say about my experiences with the Purple Press and the Yearbook? These last three years have been some of the most incredible years of my life. I have had the opportunity to learn, grown, and do so much. I have stepped out of my comfort zone and have allowed myself to have much more of an impact than I would have traditionally had. However, none of this would have been possible without my inclusion working with the Yearbook and the Newspaper at CHS. These have been some of my most beloved classes and without them or the friends I have made in them, I would not be where I am today. Over the last three years I have contributed to making 26 unique newspapers and 3 yearbooks. I can definitely say that it has been one of the best experiences I have ever had and that I am proud to have been a part of a very successful series of yearbooks and Newspapers. I have loved every moment of it. Even when it was stressful and I was at the end of my rope, I know I wanted to do it and make it through it, because in the end I was able to be proud of everything I’d accomplished. And I do now, I look back on everything, and I am proud I got to be a part of something bigger than myself, and I am proud of all of the people who helped me to accomplish all of this.
Incredibly Hard Working, Sometimes Overlooked Rose Bradley Unique McClendon Staff Writers
I got the chance to talk to four of our custodians and two of our lunch ladies. These six amazing people are not recognized most of the time, but need to be for the amazing
things they do for us and this school. These six amazing people have sacrificed everything for the students and the school. We have had the chance to talk and learn new things that not a lot of people knew about until now. They love what they do and they love being here with us. Can you tell me about yourself? Tawña Garcia: “I have one biological son and he is a sophomore here at the Clovis High School, so it is kind of nice to see him here daily. I was a foster parent, and we have recently given that up, but we
have had children in and out of my house at random times. We have one foster child who is stuck with us, and it is my godson whom we had baptised and he stays at our house so we get to see him every weekend. So, biologically I have one son, I had many foster children, and I have the one foster child I see every weekend.” Javier Martinez: “Born and raised here in Clovis. I graduated in nineteen eighty-one. I went to the Marine Corps for thirteen years afterwards. I have been working with kids with group homes, residential treatment centers, and juvenile prisons. So, I have done a little
6 Purple Press, May 9, 2018 bit of work with kids.” Joe Romero: “I am a musician, artist, and a writer. Then I am a custodian.” Manny Guillen: “I cause trouble, to everybody. That’s how they like me. Besides being a custodian.” What is your favorite part about working here at Clovis High? Tawña Garcia: “My favorite part about working here at Clovis High is the kids. I love seeing the kids and interacting with the kids. I work a lot with the kids in the youth program at my church, so I get to see them here and I get to interact with them here and ask them about their day and that is nice. I also get to see my son, of course. I am here up close, my son is in band and I get to see or hear anything that is happening with the band first hand or anything that is happening at the school first hand because I listen to the announcements every day. The kids are my joy. The kids are wonderful, especially our regulars who know us by name, because they speak to us, say good morning, and say thank you so that is also nice.” Stella Gonzales: “I enjoy the kids. I try to win them over because they are awesome.” Javier Martinez: “The kids. The kids are great kids. I have worked with a lot of troubled kids, and when I came here to this school and I see all of these kids working hard and doing what they are supposed to, it really amazes me. The kids are great here at this school.” Stephen Sarracino: “Work crew. We always have fun. We joke around.” Have you always wanted to work here at the schools? Tawña Garcia: “It wasn’t my first passion. I was a banker for many years, and I went to college full-time for business. I would have never pictured myself doing this kind of job, but it’s nice because I am off on the summer and I’m off when my children are off. Therefore I got to be with them a lot more, and then I don’t have to worry about taking vacation because I know I am off the whole summer and that’s the perk of it.” Stella Gonzales: “It just happened. My sister said that I was going to come work and I have been working ever since.” Joe Romero: “No, not really but I do have a band. I do a lot of work on the side so I do what I love, and it’s just to pay the bills.” Manny Guillen: “Not really. But
I was a construction worker. I really wanted to be a construction worker. I was in construction for thirty-four years. From there, I got old. I told them no more construction, something lighter.” Did you have any other jobs in the past? Tawña Garcia: “During college I worked for retail. I was a manager at one point, then I went in to banking for about 10 years. Then when I married my husband I traveled and I was a stay-at-home mom, then when my son got older I was his secretary. When time progressed and I needed a job I was a trainer, and then I got in with the schools and it just worked out really well.” Stella Gonzales: “I use to be a desk clerk at The Motel 6, and I have worked there about fifteen years also.” Javier Martinez: “When I was in the military, I liked doing what I did there. As far as other jobs that I have done, working with the kids has been my favorite.” Stephen Sarracino: “I have been a custodian for about five years now.” Joe Romero: “I was a graphic artist, a chef, and a butcher for a while.” Do you have any certifications? Tawña Garcia: “Yes, as a cafeteria worker we have to have certifications. We have to hold a food-handlers card and over the years we have to have a certain number of points in order to work here. It includes safety tips, you know, like food and what range it has to be in, like if it is cold food or hot food. Safety tips on cleaning and things like that. So yes, there are certifications that we do have to maintain plus we have the State that comes and checks our certifications. We have our paperwork that all our ladies certifications are on. The manager, Stella, will have a higher certification than we will, but we all have the same number of points that we have to maintain throughout the year. We all have different training.” Javier Martinez: “No I don’t. The only certifications I have are first aid and things like that. I have had to have the certifications for different jobs that I have been in.” Manny Guillen: “I started going to college but I didn’t finish.” What techniques and tools do you use to keep yourself organized? Tawña Garcia: “We rotate weekly. Like this week I am sal-
ads, next week I will be main line, and then the next week I will be breads. So next week I will cook for main line and then I will do breads for the following week. Between the three of us that work the regular line we switch days. So the job doesn’t get boring, and the job isn’t the same all the time and that is nice. So, what I do is since I do salads, then this week I will catch up and cut up my salads before for the next day so the stuff is ready to just make the salads and be done by seven to seven thirty in the morning and then we put them in the fridge for lunch. We always try to do everything ahead of time and that keeps us organized. Then, like I said, we rotate so it doesn’t get boring and it doesn’t hurt. Doing the bread hurts your hands so we do have that luxury to switch.” Stella Gonzales: “Be calm. You have to.” Javier Martinez: “Just because of my past with the military. I have kept myself pretty organized because of the way we had to always be organized. I just bring it on to my work here.” Stephen Sarracino: “Sharp mind. Just plan what you are going to do.” Joe Romero: “My mind. But tools are just making sure everything is organized.” Manny Guillen: “Oh, that’s a hard one. I don’t think I can have anything that I can organize. As far as tools, I have a floor scrubber, a buffer, a push broom, a dust pan, and a broom. Sometimes I take a ride on the broom, fly around for a little bit, but those tools keep the school organized.” If you had to choose one, would you consider yourself a big-picture person or a detail-oriented person? Tawña Garcia: “I would consider myself probably a bigpicture person. The details do matter, but in general for me in my life, if I am happy, my husband is happy, my son is happy, and my house is generally clean, then I am a good person and I will be ok. I am happy at my job and you know we are doing what we have to, so the details really don’t matter. Sometimes they do, I
mean, it might just depend on the week, but they can be important. I rather would look at the big picture and see what life holds for me, for the day, for the week, or what I did. Every night I do an examination of conscience, an examination of my day, and how it went with my family. I do it with my family and we look at what our day entailed and thank God for what we have, and that is my big picture.” Stella Gonzales: “I would consider myself a detail-oriented person. Yeah, that is me.” Javier Martinez: “I am a detailoriented person.” Stephen Sarracino: “I think I am a detail-oriented person.” Joe Romero: “I’m pretty detailoriented. It has got to be the same every day.” Manny Guillen: “I don’t know. I think I am a big-picture person. I like to see everything that is going on.” In your opinion, is it better to be perfect and late or good and on time? Tawña Garcia: “I am late every day to work, my boss can tell you. I am usually three to five minutes late, no joke. It is kind of nice though, because the new clock system we have doesn’t calculate. I am here at six, we are supposed to be here at six. So I would consider myself perfect and late, even though I do things a little bit extra. I like do things for the teachers. I like to cut up their stuff a little bit more than the students, because the kids usually pick out their vegetables and the teachers don’t usually pick them out. So, I like to cut them finer and things like that.” Manny Guillen: “Perfect and late. That’s what I do. I’m always late, as you can see when you were calling me.” Is there anything else you would like us to know? Tawña Garcia: “No, I just enjoy the kids. I enjoy them daily, I enjoy their good attitudes and when they say "thank you". I
like their happiness and you can tell their joy, and every day it is nice to see that. You can actually tell when a kid is having a bad day, and when you get to know those children, it’s nice. It’s a one on one, probably not a one on one with my youth group kids, but like i said, you get to know when something is wrong and you get to ask. I enjoy the kids and i love when they come in.” Stella Gonzales: “I love working here.” Javier Martinez: “Just that I think that the kids are great here. They are very polite and very respectful. I have a lot of respect for them also.” Stephen Sarracino: “Good kids and good teachers here.” Joe Romero: “No, I think I told you everything. I mean I am
Purple Press, May 9, 2018
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just a musician and an artist. I love music and I love art. I love people, different character and different faces.”
Custodians and Kitchen Staff: Stella Gonzales, Stephen Sarracino, Joe Romero, Javier Martinez, Manny Guillen, and Tawña Garcia
I was able to talk to these wonderful people and listen to what they had to say about themselves and our school. They have sacrificed a lot and still love what they do. They love all the teachers and students here at the school. Even though they didn’t always get to do what they wanted to do the most, they still made an effort to do everything they could for this school. We appreciate everything that they do for us and thank them for all their hard work.
The Boys Of Spring
Ryan Perkins Editor-In-Chief To Be Krystal Mailman Elizabeth Schneider Staff Writer
The Clovis High School Varsity baseball team is going to compete in the State Championship. This will be the first time in 78 years that we have gone to State and have a large chance of winning. We talked with Coach Cruce and some of the baseball players to see their thoughts and hear their statements heading into these last few games. Here’s what they said: What are you most proud of this year? Coach Cruce: The way that the boys have bought into what we do as a team. How much they take that and compete on a daily basis. What did you do differently that made you successful? Coach Cruce: I don’t think it’s anything I’ve done. I think it’s what the kids have done. They’ve just, again, bought into what we’ve done over the last few years, and their hard work is paying off. How often do your boys practice? Coach Cruce: Every day from three to five. What is your biggest pet peeve for the players on the field? Coach Cruce: My biggest pet peeve is making little mistakes.
What are your thoughts about the competition? Coach Cruce: I think this competition is one of the toughest schedules of this state all year, and it shows on record that this is one of the top two schedules to play and the competition’s been the toughest.
Varsity Team: Sebastian Nunez, Jace Piepkorn, Cam Kuykendall, Anthony Montoya, Garrett Langrell, Joe Gallegos, Anthony Gonzales, Matthew Rubio, Connor Langrell, Thomas Gallegos, EJ Gonzales, Cadyn Campbell, Coloson Faircloth, Ricky Ulses, Kayden Shober, and Brendon Sambrano.
Bigger mistakes happen but little mistakes shouldn’t. Off the field? Coach Cruce: Off the field is not doing what they’re expected to do. Did you expect to get this far? Coach Cruce: Oh yeah, you know the expectations are always high. Again, getting as far as we have I attribute to the boys with their hard work. How does it feel that this might be Clovis’ first state championship in baseball? Coach Cruce: It’s great. Not just for the kids but for the community and the school. Did you always want to be a coach? Coach Cruce: Nope, I wanted to be a physical therapist when I first left for college. What do you do to motivate the kids? Coach Cruce: I don’t know what I did to motivate them. I just try to encourage them and
try to make them understand the expectations we have as a program and allow them to build on that. What is one thing you wish you could change this season? Coach Cruce: The weather. Playing in cold weather at home. Who is your role model? Coach Cruce: My role model is a guy by the name of Coach Hankins that used to teach and coach here. What is Clovis’ record this season? Coach Cruce: Right now we’re at 21-5 with the playoffs to go. Who would you like to thank for making this all happen? Coach Cruce: Just the kids. You know the kids are the ones that make it happen. I just go out there and try to put them in a situation to succeed and do their job.
After speaking with, Jace Piepkorn, Connor Langrell, and Cam Kuykendall members of the Varsity baseball team, we’ve learned more about what they do and how they have prepared. What was your favorite thing about this season? Jace: I would have to say my favorite thing about this season is the people I played it with. Also, winning, that’s definitely a lot of fun! Connor: My answer is probably the same as Jace, just going to every game, tournament, and doing it all together. What are you looking forward to about State? Cam: We don’t have the best baseball program here in Clovis, and just building it up and hopefully winning the game. Connor: Clovis has only made the playoffs but never past the first round, and now we’re going to host and this has only happened twice in Clovis history. Are you confident about the championship? Connor: Yeah, we have a really good group and I personally think we have a really good chance of winning and we’ll just see how the cards fall.
8 Purple Press, May 9, 2018 What do you like the most about playing baseball? Connor: It’s really a lot of thinking, something hard could happen, something easy could happen, it’s unpredictable. You don’t know how much they think about it, it’s not just hitting the baseball. Cam: There’s just a lot of stuff that we go through with strategy on the field that people don’t know about. What are your plans for after school?
Jace: Connor and I are going to Newman University in Wichita, KS to play baseball and Cam is going to West Point and will try to walk on to play baseball. Who are your role models? Cam: We’re pretty well each other’s role models, but Coach Cruce has taught us so much about the game, he’s made the program so much better here. Coach Adams has also worked hard all year. Starting in September, the coaches have paid with their time and money, trying to get us to succeed.
What was your best game this season? All: Rio Rancho was a lot of fun to play. What do you think about your coaches? Connor: They’re amazing, there’s no way we could’ve got here without them. I don’t think we would have the program without them. Clovis is very proud of the boys varsity team, win or lose at State. It has been an honor
to talk to the team and Coach Cruce and we’re wishing them the best! Clovis has tied the 2004 of 23 wins, 5 losses. Clovis will play Carlsbad on the 10th in Albuquerque. On the 11th, Clovis will play the winner of the Cleveland/La Cueva game. The winner of the game on the 11th of May will then go to the championship game on the 12th. If the boys do win, they will be featured in the September paper of the 2018-2019 school year.
Adviser: Augustine Martinez Out Going Editor-In-Chief: Austin Hodges Out Going Co-Editor: Alex Thompson Editor-In-Chief To Be: Ryan Perkins Out Going Staff Writers: Donovan Hackett and Travis Nelson Staff Writers: Krystal Mailman, Tony Viescas, Rigo Badillo, Elizabeth Schneider, Rose Bradley, and Unique McLendon Purple Press is a Publication Vehicle for Student Expression The School Board encourages students to express their views in school-sponsored publications and to observe rules for responsible journalism. This means, expression that falls into any of the following categories shall not be permitted: any expression which is false or obscene, libelous, slanderous, or defamatory under state law; which presents a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts, violation of school rules or materials and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school, or which violates the privacy rights of others. Student editors of school-sponsored publications are responsible for determining the news, opinion and advertising content of the publication. The publication’s adviser is responsible for supervising the production of the publication and for teaching and encouraging free and responsible expression and professional standards of journalism. The views expressed in The Purple Press are not necessarily those of Clovis High School or the Clovis Municipal School Board of Education.
Yearbooks are in! Come get yours in F-9 for $100.00 through the end of the school year. Mr. Martinez will also be selling Yearbooks at Graduation for $100.00 CASH OR CHECK ONLY!
Adviser: Augustine Martinez Out Going Editor-In-Chief: Austin Hodges Grammarian: John Rollinson Out Going Co-Editor: Alex Thompson Lay Out by: Austin Hodges Editor-In-Chief To Be: Ryan Perkins and Ryan Perkins Out Going Staff Writers: Donovan Hackett and Travis Nelson Staff Writers: Rigo Badillo, Krystal Mailman, Elizabeth Schneider, Tony Viescas, Rose Bradley, and Unique McLendon Publisher: The Eastern New Mexico News • 521 Pile St PO Box 1689 Clovis, New Mexico 88102, (575) 763-3431