Combs Courier - December 2010 by brian taylor

Teen Suicide: May feel like an easy way out; but selfish act Page 4

Ke$ha eats up the competition with new album “Cannibal” Page 6

Basketball provides balance for Junior Landon Flowers Page 7

COMBS Courier The source for Coyote news

Friday, December 10, 2010

www.CombsCourier.com

The Race for the Cure By Kat Johnson Combs Courier Staff

As if Thanksgiving wasn’t hectic enough, nearly four hundred people sacrificed their morning to participate in the JO Combs Turkey Waddle and show their support for CHS 8th grader, Breanna Peña, who is fighting Acute Myeloid Leukemia. “I’m so glad that all these random strangers took time off their holiday to run for my sister,” Chelsea Pena commented about the turnout. The 5k run/walk Turkey Waddle started at a bright and brisk 8:30 am. Participants of any age were welcomed to participate. Even those too small to walk rode along in their strollers. Some even had four legs, pulling their owners around the road course. Members of our nations Military lent a helping hand, positioned throughout the neighborhood, providing words of encouragement to the runners as they passed by. Chelsea Peña, 11, and Kaitlyn Peña, 8, younger sisters of Breanna Peña, also helped cheer on the runners with their megaphone. As the start of the race approached, the crowd lined up at the starting line or stood to the side stretching and getting prepared for their 3.1mile run. The crowd filled the road about 30 feet behind the starting line. Needless to say it

Vol. 1/Edition 1

8th grader fighting for her life By JORDAN FLAKE Combs Courier Staff

Photo Credit Kat Johnson Participants of all ages came out in support of CHS 8th grader Breanna Pena

looked like a bunch of turkeys waddling around waiting to be chosen for dinner. Many kids were seen running alongside their parents, all feeling the rush of cold air on their faces as their bodies heated up. As C. Peña stated earlier, there were many strangers that

were willing sacrifice the morning of a usually family-centered holiday to get in some cardio and raise some money for a very worthy cause. “It was great,” said Jeni Farin, 37. “I was glad to be a part of this.”

Local bands showcase talents

For most people, juggling everything life throws is difficult enough. However, CHS eighth grader, Breanna Peña, has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, the most aggressive and extremely rare type of leukemia. Peña has gone through more than four rounds of chemotherapy and an extremely aggressive round of chemo to prepare for a bone marrow transplant. “She is one of the most inspirational girls I know,” said Brooklyn Hunt, CHS sophomore and close friend of Peña. During the summer of 2010, Peña went to a camp with her church for a week. After coming home, she noticed a few lumps in her breasts See Peña page 4

By Andy Blahak Combs Courier Staff Horns could be heard blaring down Ironwood Road, there was metal scattered around the ground and kids making violent arm gestures toward large crowds. No, it’s not a violent car accident or a riot of angry teenagers, it’s a glimpse into the scene of the inaugural Combs marching band invitational. On Nov. 20 the Combs marching band preformed along with bands from Queen Creek, Poston Butte and Apache Junction High School on the CHS football field. The event opened at approximately 7 pm, with the playing of the national anthem by elite members from each school’s band. Following that moment of musical anticipation, the Queen Creek band got the crowd roar-

ing with their “Rock show”, featuring the songs, Variation On America, In A Gadda Da Vida, Too Much Time On My Hands, and the ever popular Free Bird. Immediately after was the marching Broncos of Poston Butte whose performance was titled “A Night At The Movies”, including songs from James Bond, The Incredibles, and Gladiator. A small accident occurred when two trombone players fell down, but quickly recovered, one having to reassemble part of his instrument on field. Next was the “Music of Led Zeppelin” preformed by the Apache Junction Prospectors with the songs Whole Lotta Love, Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker and Stairway To Heaven. Last but certainly not least was our very own,

Photo Credit Taylor Kace CHS marching band members Ryan Anderson, Daniel Garcia, Steven Hernandez and Joseph Allen stand at attention during the inaugral band invitational.

Combs marching band, whose show, titled “Superstar”, included Heaven on Their Minds, Superstar, Everything’s Alright, Hosanna, This Jesus Must Die, I Don’t Know How To Love Him, John 19:41 and finally a reprise of Superstar. The winner? The crowd, who enjoyed an op-

portunity for local schools to showcase their talents in a friendly noncompetitive setting. “[The Coyotes performance] succeeded in making me cry,” Lee E. Blahak said. “It reminds me of my own past experiences with the songs and brings me back to those emotional moments.”

IDK...LOL...OMG... Finals are coming!!! By Mitchell Werner Combs Courier Staff

How often do you use texting in one day? Mark Stewart says, “Oh man I text like all the time!” Luis Hernandez said, “Oh man, I like text all the time, I text like every day (except in school)” Elizabeth Lamay said, “not too much,” Janel Noel says, “yeah, I text, but not a lot”. Now if you asked these four students about the use of texting in today’s generation they each

would say that the use of texting has changed the way people communicate today. Noel said that no one knows how to have a real conversation anymore. When asked how this came to be and she clearly stated that we all just got too lazy to call the person we wanted to speak with just because we think it’s faster. Hernandez says “it’s changed a lot because we don’t talk on the phone as much we text” when asked why he said “its cause it was popular before then it got See Texting on page 7

By Gabrielle Wells Combs Courier Staff

The finals are coming! The finals are coming! Are you ready? On Dec. 15 and 16 the semester finals are going to be underway. They are the thing most students dread their entire high school career, but for some they are just ready to get it done. For some the test is the hard part, for others it is

actually studying that is difficult. CHS social studies teacher, Tana Whitlock, didn’t do so well on her finals in high school, but she persevered. Whitlock said, “I would do flash cards with my dad, I think that was the best way to study for me.” She even suggests that students utilize the study guides she gives, because Whitlock knows that her social studies test is long, but she does that for a reason. “If I make [the test] shorter, then every question is See Finals on page 7

COMBS Courier

Friday, December, 10, 2010

Black, White, and Read all over

Combs Courier File Photo

Front row (L to R): Keilani Washington, Kat Johnson, Gabrielle Wells, Adrienna Foster, Victoria Coppola. Back Row: Ana Galindo, Charisa Bisbee, Jordan Flake, Andy Blahak, Benjamin Ellis, Mitch Werner

By Jordan Flake Combs Courier Staff With technology rapidly advancing all around us, the CHS newspaper decided to make a few changes. To start, the name of the newspaper has changed grom the Coyote Call to the Combs Courier, signaling the dawn of a new era. We are also switching to a full-size newspa-

per, an 11 x 17 inch size newspring, instead of the small 8.5 x 11 inch size copy paper used last year. The Courier has also signed a contract with Signature Offset publishing company to print the newspaper; not the school copy machine. For the last two years, Wendi Anderson served as advisor for newspaper. But now the staff is under the guidance of new advisor, Brian Taylor. To some, he is that math teacher; but

COMBS Courier The source for Coyote news

Staff

Andy Blahak Charisa Bisbee Victoria Coppola Benjamin Ellis Kat Johnson Jordan Flake

Adrienna Foster Ana Galindo Keilani Washington Gabrielle Wells Mitch Werner

Adviser Brian Taylor

Principal

Brenda Mayberry

The Combs Courier is published by the student newspaper staff at Combs High School. Opinions expressed in the paper are of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of The Combs Courier staff, the adviser, the faculty, or the administration of Combs High School. The Combs Courier has functioned as a public forum since its inception. Unless implied by the advertising party otherwise stated, advertising in the Combs Courier is inserted by campus activities or commercial ventures identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the school or administration. Such printing is not to be construed as written or implied sponsorship, endorsement or investigation of such commercial enterprises. The Combs Courier allocates one issue to each student for free. Please e-mail all questions, comments, guest articles, or letters to the editor to combscourier@gmail.com. All submissions must be signed; however, requests for anonymity may be honored. Brian Tayloran

here at the Combs Courier, he’s the boss. Everything about the newspaper is being revamped this year. Not only are we creating a whole new kind of publication, but we’re striving to get the hard facts on what our readers want to read. As our readers, we depend on you to be our source for interesting, around-campus ideas. We are also on the Web! To see current articles about what’s going on, the most recent

sports’ scores, or to just check out your school, go check us out at: www.combscourier.com. We are also in need of more staff members. Right now, we are a tiny little staff of 11 writers. — We need help! If you like to write, take pictures, get the facts, talk to new or famous people, come on down to the journalism room, 316, and check us out.

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COMBS Courier

Friday, December, 10, 2010

Counselors Corner By Dr. Melissa Valenzuela Special for the Combs Courier

Welcome to the Counseling Corner. Students and parents can find us easily on the Combs High School website at www.combscoyotes. org under the Student Services button on the side of the screen. Another way to contact us is to visit our offices located in the 400 build on the top and bottom floor. Parents you are encouraged to call the counselors at anytime with any issue. Coach Vezzosi has been assigned the students with the last name beginning A-K and Dr. Valenzuela has the students with L-Z. Please contact them through the main office line at 882-3540 and the operator will assist you.

Registration for the 2011-2012 school year is around the corner. Once students return from winter break in January, the counselors will be disturbing registration information through the English classes. This ensures that ever student is receiving all of the information needed to complete the registration process. The counselors will be giving a special presentation to parents on the registration process on Monday, January 24th 2011. The presentation will be in the small gym at 5:30pm. Following the counselor’s presentation, parents may resume to the large gym for a short presentation by the administration. The remainder of the evening will leave the parents with the availability to meet individually with all elective teachers. This night gives par-

ents an opportunity to research student’s elective choices in order to choice the right electives during their high school career. Elective choices may affect a student’s post high school career. Universities, colleges, and technical schools are in search of student with drive and a potential to learn. Not only do they search for the student with high academic standards but also student with service learning. Service learning can be accomplished many ways. Student may tutor other students, assist neighbors or friends with yard work, assist teachers before or after school, and many other situations. For any questions about service learning or how to document it, have the student see the counselor for clarification.

Hate school? Get Involved By Charisa Bisbee Combs Courier Staff

Do you find yourself complaining about how boring school is? Counting the seconds until you get to go home? Or constantly commenting about how other local high schools are so much better? Why don’t you do something about it then? Get involved in a sport, club, or a form of performance group on campus. You can get involved and have fun. Then maybe school won’t seem like such a waste of life to you. Athletics are an important part of our school. The winter season of sports is here and the teams games are underway. The winter sports are Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Wrestling, Golf, and Cheerleading. Players are practicing hard and are extremely excited to win some games. Clubs also play a very special role on campus. Clubs on campus include Best Buddies, Glee club, and Creative Writing club. Best Buddies is a club that open to anyone here on campus. It’s a club where you will meet many new people and create life-long friendships with other students. Diane Ouellette, CHS English teacher, started the club after at the request of a student. Best Buddies has been school wide for two years and has a membership of approximately fifty students. Ouellette explained how she was overjoyed about how many students have joined the club. “Beyond expected” she said. Typical meeting activities include icebreaker games, or something fun to get everyone talking to each other. James Cardiel, is the President of the Best Buddies club. Ouellette says that Cardiel is a “go getter”, and that he is growing as a leader on his own. The Best Buddies club

is an opportunity for students to be social with others and create tight friendships with students and maybe even teachers. In this club, students treat each other in a way they would want to be treated (The Golden Rule). Ouellette added that she has seen a changed in herself since starting the Best Buddies club and also from the students who have joined the club. Some upcoming activities the Best Buddies club wants to plan are a holiday party and a winter vacation activity. Best Buddies club is a place where as Ouellette says, “Either end, you’ll see how excited and how much the students look forward to the next meetings, activities, anything having to do with the Best Buddies club.” Another club on campus is Glee club. Show your creative side through music, dance, and performance with new people, Ashley Schell, Dance teacher, and Dustin Hemsath, Spanish II/ III teacher, co-sponsors of Glee club. The CHS Glee club was formed due to the immense popularity of the hit television show “Glee”, as it was and still is, talked about on campus. Although this club has only about fifteen to twenty students that have joined, and is still growing, it is a group of diverse students with, as Schell says “Creative energy and always ready to perform.” The Glee clubbers are a very diverse bunch, there are cheerleaders, students from the Drama Department, and a lot of eighth graders. Hemsath assists with vocals and Schell focuses more on the groups choreography. Singing is the primary focus and the dance develops along with it. “Glee club is a very positive and helpful environment” according to Schell. “Students are

very complimentary to each other. “ It is a place where as Schell says, “Students lead and there are no directions, there is guidance.” If you are one to express your emotion or explore creativity through the written word then Creative Writing club may be a place for you. While there is nothing stating that only people in this club are allowed to write creatively, it is a place where you can share your craft with students that have the same passion for it as you do. It a place where you can express yourself through story. There are about thirteen students in this club, and there would be about 25 more if their schedules weren’t so packed with other events. Creative Writing club is sponsored by Jessica Burnquist, CHS English teacher. Creative Writing club will be selling muffins, hot cocoa, and breakfast sales for low and affordable prices. Creative Writing club is an amazing opportunity for students to express themselves through writing, and to be heard by others. “Through this club students have realized that this is the real deal and that it’s not a time filler” Burnquist says. Through sports, clubs, and special events on campus, you can be more involved in school. Then maybe it won’t seem so boring to you. Although you will always have to do classwork and homework in high school, the skills you might develop and memories you will make will last a lifetime. So quit complaining and take some ownership of your school. You never know...you may even start to enjoy coming here.

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What the Cell?! By Ana Galindo Combs Courier Staff

tionary” app is a very powerful search engine which could be very helpful in not just English, but in many other classes as well. It could help “Okay class...settle down, stop talking and get students learn new words without having to look it up in a traditional dictionary which few stustarted on your bell work.” This in an all too common scene here at good dents take the time to do. Smartphones could be ol’ CHS. But how would things be different if used as a tool to help students understand conyour teacher added this little tip to the end of cepts better, which would lead to better grades, which would make a better school. her directions? Of course, everyone has their own opinion on “Oh, and remember to take out your phone if this should be allowed. and text your answers to Brian Banach, CHS En86754.” lgish teacher, thinks that We all know this there are no academic wouldn’t really hapbenefits with using cell pen, but it could. There phones. He says, “Still are many reasons why a school rule, then no.” He “smartphone” could be wouldn’t let students use used positively during their cell phones during class. class. Jessica Furman, The current policy CHS Math teacher, at CHS states that cell says, “In theory, I would phones are not permitted say yes, we could, but to be on during school hours. While many teens Jessica Furman, Algebra I/II I’m not sure we know difference between have cell phones, some Teacher the using them effectively are fortunate enough and texting.” to have smartphones, Katie Fairbanks, CHS freshman, was asked if which could be great academic tools, if they were allowed to use content specific applica- she would use the math app wisely if she had tions on their phone. There are many different the access and she said, “Yeah, if it was okay types of apps on smartphones that could help with the teacher. Certain students would abuse the privileges but overall we would be fine. If students academically. The app, “Convert- the unit calculator” is a it helped you understand the material then it calculator that lets you convert area, currency, would be easier because it’s hard for a teacher length, temperature, volume, force, and more to single you out when they have a big class. which could be very helpful in any math or sci- If you have an app that could help explain the ence class. The “New Oxford American Dic- material then it should definitely be allowed to use them.”

“In theory, I would say yes, we could [use cellphones in class] but I’m not sure we know the difference between using them effectively and texting.”

Peña: From page 1 that she attributed to mosquito bites, but Peña went to the doctor to have it checked out. “The doctor’s first instincts were, naturally, to assume breast cancer,” said Hunt. However, after a breast and bone marrow biopsy, results revealed a dangerous strain of leukemia. Peña has been in the hospital since the discovery of her leukemia, which was found relatively early. She has undergone more than four rounds of chemotherapy. However, treatment hasn’t worked as hoped. The leukemia is in remission in her bone marrow, but the masses in her breasts which are also Leukemia aren’t. The chemotherapy has taken a toll on her body as well, causing hallucinations, extreme nausea and lethargy. Yet, she continues to be strong, fighting for her life. An attempt was made to find a match for a bone marrow transplant, a potential cure for some forms of leukemia. Peña arrived, donning a mask to keep her healthy while away from her sterile home at the hospital. Two perfect matches were found through the bone marrrow registry. However, to receive a bone marrow transplant, Peña will have to undergo a round of much more aggressive chemotherapy to attempt to not only destroy all of of the cancerous cells in her system, but to destroy any kind of her own cells to make way for the donor’s cells. If all goes as planned she will be beginning this special chemo the Monday after Christmas, and receiving the transplant about two weeks later. Her treatment has a wide variety of side effects. For instance, “It burned her throat,” according to Hunt. This led to vomiting up blood and pieces of her esophaugus. The skin on her

Photo Courtesy of teambreanna.com

hands and feet also began to peel, making it extremely painful to walk. But, still, Peña is pushing through it, not showing an ounce of suffering. Peña’s parents have said that thery weren’t going to put her through another round of chemo like this last one and instead going to try radiation to see if that will irradicate the masses in her breasts. “The number one thing she wants to know,” said Hunt, “is that she has friends and peers behind her.” “ She doesn’t care about money, she doesn’t care about dying. She just misses her peers and her schoolwork. She wants to know that people love her.”

Dead Silence: The wrong way out

By Kat Johnson Combs Courier Staff

Envision yourself and your closest friend and all your precious memories. You’ve known each other for a good number of years and you now think to yourself “There is no possible way to live without this person, they’re just too close to me now.” Then one day, they’re gone. Kirk Fauske, CHS Varsity Basketball coach, can relate to this completely. Fauske remembers a close friend of his who committed suicide while they were talking to eachother on the phone. They met while he was on vacation in Florida. When it was time for Fauske to go back home, he and his newfound friend agreed to keep in touch. They had initially planned to play basketball together at a younger age, but after he made the Varisty Basketball team in 9th grade and his friend didn’t, Fauske recalls his friend had started getting into drugs and drinking, which threw him out of whack and caused him to withdraw from the thing that brought them together, basketball. “We always kept in touch and talked about basketball,” Fauske said, “I’d call him up or he’d call me and we’d always talk about basketball. But then he started messing around with drugs and then when we met up a few years later he just wasn’t the same guy anymore.” Suicide, by definition, is the act of killing oneself intentionally, performed by the person with the full knowledge or expectation of the fatal outcome. In other words, they know what an attempt will do if successful, and that’s exactly what they want. There are many suicide risk factors, such as a simple pencil, that in an instant, can be the trigger to end the life of a seemingly normal teen. It wasn’t until Fauske was called by his friend one day that took Fauske for a reality ride. “He kept saying goodbye, and I was like what are you talking about? Goodbye? What, why where are you going? ‘Kirk, I love you like a brother, and I will always be watching you’, he told me, and then, boom, the shotgun goes off. I didn’t hear anything else but dead silence.” Fauske said that he was extremely stunned, and he ran to his mom and told her the story, after which they called anybody and everybody

they thought relevant, Fauske still dazed like a deer in the headlights. “It was bad enough with the suicide,” Fauske said, “but I knew that there was nothing that I could possibly do…I mean I’m sitting in Chicago, and this happening in West Palm Beach,

never hurt me?” If words could never hurt anyone, teen suicide wouldn’t be the third leading cause of deaths among people ages 15-24. Teen suicide and bullying are closely related and the link between them is spiraling out of control. Many people have also been known to attempt

Photo Illustration by the Combs Courier Staff

“‘I love you like a brother, and I will always be watching you’, he told me, and then, boom, the shotgun goes off. I didn’t hear anything else but dead silence.” Florida.” As if suicide itself isn’t horrifying enough, Arizona has one of the highest suicide rates in the country, along with Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Alaska. While bullying isn’t the number one cause for suicide, it is definitely a leading cause. Joking around only goes so far before, the target of your “comedy” suddenly doesn’t show up to school one day. Remember how you used to say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can

suicide because of the constant teasing they get because of their sexuality. Whether it’s a classmate, a close friend or a family member, everyone, sometime in their life, will be affected somehow by bullying or suicide. Suicide, sometimes thought of to be a selfish act, affects everyone around them so immensely. Because of this, students need to begin to understand how powerful this issue is and find better ways to prevent this from happening. A good number of teen suicides results from bullying. Regardless of whether it’s emo-

tional or physical, bullying is one of the common, and worst, ways to torture somebody. “I think [being a bully] makes people feel good about themselves and that they aren’t happy with something in their life,” Melissa Williams, CHS social studies teacher, said. “They go looking for something to make them happy, which is apparently picking on other people to make them feel as bad as they do.” According to HealthyPlace.com, for every one completed suicide, there are about eight to 25 attempts. About 60 percent of suicides in the United States are done with a gun, according to KidsHealth.org. It also states that gender plays a big role in the statistics of suicide. Girls are said to think about and attempt suicide about twice as often as boys, and do so by overdosing on drugs or cutting themselves. Boys, on the other hand, actually complete and attempt about four times the amount of suicides done by girls. Evidence indicates that they tend to use more lethal methods when attempting suicide, including firearms and hanging themselves. Parents and teachers should be on the lookout for signs that a teen might be suicidal. Never push someone away if they come to you with their issues; you just might see their picture on the next suicide article, those innocent eyes still pleading for help. Aggressive behavior, disruptive behavior, substance abuse, and depression are easy to notice and may point to a potential suicidal teen. They do not, however, always mean that a teen is suicidal. “The thing that hurts me the most, is that on that conversation, there were so many signals that he was going to do something, and I missed it,” Fauske remembers. He said that he missed so many signals because he was so wrapped up in basketball that he didn’t notice anything else. The fear of being bullied in school disrupts the learning process, and makes going a miserable experience. Being bullied can make people feel lonely, unhappy, and unsafe. People who are being bullied may develop stomach aches, nightmares, nervousness, and anxiety, all of which can leave affects on them that can last a long time, if not permanent. “Bruises go away,” Williams said, “But emotional pain sticks with you forever.”

COMBS Courier

To be Human...

By Keano Vang Special for the Combs Courier

She was pacing relentlessly up and down the hallway, looking up from time to time at the sign above the door. It was still red. It had been over an hour now, and it was still red. She went back to pacing, trying in vain to calm her frayed nerves. She had to remain calm, nothing was definite yet. They still had a chance. Yet, there had been so much blood. It had been everywhere. The body shouldn’t be able to let out so much blood. It didn’t seem possible. “Mama?” she heard. She looked down, meeting the eyes of a little girl, her little girl. She seemed tired, but there was an undeniable sense of worry in her eyes. This, more than anything, began calming her. She couldn’t break down in front of her child now. She had to be strong, for her daughter, for the whole family… and for herself. “Go back to sleep, sweetheart,” she said gently, lifting the child up into her arms. The young girl tried to squirm her way out of her arms, but soon succumbed to the gentle clutches of sleep. She took her over to an empty seat and set her down gently. The poor girl had been awake almost as long as she had been. It shouldn’t have been like this, none of this. She should be at home, celebrating her child’s birthday. Not here, in a hospital, awaiting news that may break her“Miss Akio?” She stopped and turned her head at the sound of that voice. Whatever thought might have been in her head at that

A “Budding” Prospect By Victoria Coppola Combs Courier Staff To some, sports events are just sweaty people running all over the place. But to others, sports make a person who they are. CHS junior, Landon Flowers, would be one of those individuals defined by his sport. Playing on the first varsity basketball team at CHS, Flowers has been playing basketball for 10 years.His passion for the sport has grown ever since his parents decided to put him on little league teams. “Playing basketball helps balance out my day,” the fifteen-yeat-old guard said. Even though basketball practice lasts two

moment flew right out the window at the sight of the doctor. She rushed over to him, a frantic look on her face. “Doctor Rito, please tell me they’re going to be alright!” she said, tears wanting to leave her eyes. “Miss Akio...” he paused, looking uncomfortable. A sinking feeling began to form in her gut. It couldn’t be... she thought. “You may want to sit down,” the doctor suggested. “NO!” She nearly screamed, grabbing the man by his coat. “Please tell me nothing has happened! Please!” She didn’t care who heard her desperate pleas. She didn’t care if she had been loud enough to wake up her daughter, but she had to know. “I’m sorry ma’am...” the doctor said with a sad look in his eyes. “We did all we could. But in the end, he lost too much blood. Your husband... is dead.” It was like as if someone had ripped out her heart. Yet, even as tears left her eyes in tiny little streams, she only tightened her grip on the doctor’s coat. “And my son?” she asked, her voice shaking. “My son doctor, is he... could he also be...” She couldn’t bring herself to it. It was too much losing one of them, but both? She couldn’t say it, for fear it may be true. “He is not, Miss Akio,” the doctor said. She looked up, relief in her features, until she noticed the concerned look on the doctor’s face. “But there have been some issues.” “What types of issues?” she said, taking her hands off the doctor and clasping them at her sides, trying to control her shaking. “Well... it is best you see for yourself.” He walked off, motioning for her to follow. She guided her sleepy daughter and followed with intent on knowing what was

Friday, December, 10, 2010

wrong with her son. What she would see would not be anything she was expecting. *** Agh… I sighed walking up to the roof of the school, I know it’s only the first day of highschool, but I think I should have had some girls admire my efforts today, I mean I believe my looks are decent, my athletic abilities are high, and my smarts are well enough, right? Maybe I shouldn’t worry about things like this right now, it is only the first day… I finished walking to the top of the roof’s entrance; I opened the door and found someone up there before me. The girl stood straight up looking outward towards the setting sun, admiring it. The gentle breeze passed along her, moving her school uniform with it. The sun had captured her image perfectly, the light giving her skin radiance and her long, lush, and beautiful hair extended down her back… Perfect shot….. The boy took out a camera from his bag, adjusted it to capture the moment, then… Click!

PopsicleStick Pandemonium By Gabrielle Wells Combs Courier Staff

Want to read the rest of chapter one from To Be Human by Keano Vang? Visit www.combscourier.com and click on the entertainment section to read more.

This year CHS is hosting exciting Coyote Skills Competitions. The most recent competition was to see which Coyote Skills class could build a Popsicle stick structure that was at least eight inches tall, with a 24-inch perimeter, using no more than 50 Popsicle sticks and could hold the most weight. So, who won this difficult competition inspired by CHS math teacher, Jessica Furman? CHS science teacher, Brea Rivera’s Coyote Skills class. When class representatives Alec Harvey and Brenden Shurtleff entered their structure into battle, everyone was nervous having to wait about 30 minutes. They returned to class, heads held high, and told everyone the glorious news. Their structure domninated the competition by withstanding a whopping 250 pounds. This is the second consecutive Coyote Skills competition vistory for Rivera’s Coyote Skills class. They were first victorious forbeing the class with the most school spirit The award winning structure and victory ribbons are on display in Rivera’s classroom, They will attempt a hat-trick, winning three competitions, when the next Coyote Skills competition takes place next quarter.

hours after school, Flowers manages to balance Pre-Calculus, Honors Chemistry, Honors English and basketball while maintainng the highest GPA on the team. “Nawh, it’s not hard to keep my grades up at all,” Flowers said. “It’s easy.” With all of the time players spend together at practice, it is not unusual that most of his teammates are some of Flowers’ closest friends. “It ends up making practice easier to get through,” Flowers remarked. “There is a lot of running and its a big learning experience for everybody.” Having suffered an agonizing last second defeat to Vista Grande, Flowers and his fellow hoopsters would love to see the stands full for their remaining home games. “Come support our basketball team,” Flowers said. “Cause’ we need a bigger turn out!.”

Photo Credit Victoria Coppola

Junior guard Landon Flowers stares down his opponent with a look of intimidation during a game against Vista Grande.

What do you do to prepare for final exams?

With finals week around the corner, the Courier finds ways our Coyotes study

“I take notes and I study them.” -Ashley Osmer Sophomore

“Read books.” -Alex Gutierrez Freshman

“I usually ask my teachers if there is anything specific I should write down, take a lot of notes and I put all my notes together and separate them by subject.” -Samantha Creech Junior

“I go over my notes and read my books and ask my teacher about questions.” -David Shurtleff Junior

“Oh man, I sit there for a long time and read over my notes.” -Kylie Dinehart Freshman

Friday, December, 10, 2010

COMBS Courier

Got your drivers license? Read up

By Ana Galindo Combs Courier Staff

Potter vs. Voldemort Harry defends the Ministry of Magic in Deathly Hallows: Part One

eryday from injuries from a car crash. In 2008, half of teen deaths from motor vehicle crashes occurred between 3pm and midnight and 56 percent occurred on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15- to 20-year-olds. On that Getting pulled over for the first time is a note, CHS students need to make sure that huge fear of young drivers. Arizona curfew when they get behind the wheel, they don’t meet the stereotype that all teenagers drive hours are set at 10 pm for youths 15 years old and younger, and midnight every day for 16 reckless. “I feel judged,” CHS Junior, Ryan Moyes and 17 year-olds. If you are out past curfew, said. “Just because every other 16-year-old you are breaking the law and are running the risk of getting pulled over. gets in an accident doesn’t mean that I will.” Some students at Combs High School are getting ready to, or already have taken their permit test. Like any test, use good study habits. “For the permit test, I got a tape recorder and repeated the questions from the -The risk of a fatal manual,” CHS Junior crash is three times Mayra Gutierrez said. greater at night. “That’s how I do things too, I memo-One third of all rize them.” Moyes crashes are at intersecsays, “I just watched tions. my parents drive and then I would ask them Ryan Moyes, Junior -Over 74 thousand questions. The test teens die or are injured was easy.” Driving safely is very important and needed each year by not wearing seatbelts. to be taken seriously, texting while driving is a -The most common distraction for drivers is major issue, not just with teens but with adult the use of cell phones, talking or listening on a drivers too. “Well, I don’t text a lot so it wouldn’t affect hand held device increases the risk of a crash or injury. me while I’m driving,” says Gutierrez. Who is most at risk? Newly licensed teens -28 percent of 15-20 year old drivers who are. Crash risk is very high the first year that teenagers are able to drive. Factors that put were killed in a motor vehicle crash on 2005 teenagers at risk are teens are more likely to had been drinking. drive over the speed limit. They also allow -Every 60 seconds someone is injured in an drive closer to the vehicle in front of them. At any level of blood alcohol puts teens alcohol-related car wreck. on more at risk of getting in a car crash. Ask -Every 40 minutes someone is killed in an yourself, what would be the right thing to do when you see a friend trying to drive under alcohol-related car accident. the influence? Always think about those kinds Speeding, weaving across centerlines, drivof things. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause ing to slow, failing to wear tier seatbelts, runof deaths for the U.S. 10-19 teenagers died ev- ning red lights or stop signs, not stopping for

“I feel judged. Just because every other 16-year-old gets in an accident doesn’t mean that I will.”

Did you know?

Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers Studios “Deathly Hallows Part 1″ grossed $ 61.2 million in its first day in theaters.

By Kelani Washington Combs Courier Staff The wait is over! The beginning of the last Harry Potter movie is finally playing at a theater near you! This first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will definitely make you anxious to see the second. It’s full of action, intense drama, and some romance. It’ll take you on a journey around the world to see what Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger will have to do to defeat Lord Voldemort . The film’s director David Yates is well known for directing four of the seven Harry Potter movies. J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, is also one of the producers of this film. In the first week alone the movie made approximately $330 million, dding to the already billion dollar franchise. Harry, Ron, and Hermione (played by Dan-

iel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson respectively) set out on their dangerous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort’s immortality, the Horcruxes. On their own without the protection of Professor Dumbledore, they must rely on each other more than they ever have. But there are dark forces in their way trying to tear them apart. Picture it, Harry and Ron are trapped in a cell beneath Draco Malfoy’s mansion forced to hear the cries of Hermione while Bellatrix Lestrange puts a knife to her throat. But then all of a sudden Dobby comes into the cell to save Harry and Ron. They escape the cell and head to the dining room and see… sorry guys, you’ll just have to see the movie to find out what happens. This movie is rated PG-13 and is aimed towards teenagers and adults. If you love adventure/action films, then you will defiantly like this movie. It’s two hours and thirty minutes of jam-packed excitement that will have you jumping out of your seats!

Did You Know... Harry Potter is the highest earning movie franchise of all-time beating the James Bond films and even the Star Wars flicks.

Sample Permit Test An Animal turns Cannibal 1.When do pedestrians have the right-of-way over motor vehicles? a. Only in crosswalks b. Always c. When you say so 2. What is the speed limit in a residential area? a. 50mph b. 25mph c. 10mph 3. What is the purpose of a diamond-shaped traffic sign? a. To tell you to stop b. To bother you c. To warn you 4. What are the rights of a person riding a bicycle in the street? a. They have no rights b. Same rights as a motor vehicle c. They can do whatever they want 5. How far behind an emergency vehicle do you have to be? a. 50 feet b. 200 feet c. 500 feet

By Adrienna Foster Combs Courier Staff From the moment pop/rap sensation Ke$ha claims that, “I’ve got a heart, I swear I do, but just not baby when it comes to you,” in her title track, “Cannibal”, you know you’re in for the ride of your life. With Ke$ha’s blundtly naughty lyrics and blatantly bewildering messages sent through song, she’ll leave you with your jaw hanging in open disbelief of the words coming out of her mouth. Ke$ha has been with RCA records since 2009, where she became famous for the charttopping song “Tik-Tok” on her debut album “Animal”. Released in January of 2010, the album quickly went double-platinum, selling more than 2 million albums worldwide. Ke$ha’s unique musical style and use of techno elements in her songs make this album a fun one to dance to. The heavy bass beat and the upbeat rhythm of Kesha’s lyrics never leave time for you to unwind before the next track is on with an equally funky beat. Ke$ha uses songs like “Cannibal” and “Grow a Pear” to portray men in her songs as they usually portray women, nothing more than an object of amusement. Ke$ha does take time away from her usual fast-paced style to slow things down with her love song, “The Harold Song”, where she states the teenage feeling of, “They say that true love hurts, but this could almost kill me,”

in talking about a lost love. Sandwiched in the middle of the album, a nice break between her usual crazy party song about a club and a catchy track where she states her love for her “Crazy Beautiful Life”.

Ke$ha’s “Cannibal” brings something new to each track, and her lively spirit and ‘do what I want’ attitude makes this album stand out from the other young artists in the genre. Once again, Ke$ha has produced a masterpiece.

Photo Courtesy of Sony Music Group

Rolling Stone calls Canibal repulsive, obnoxious and ridiculously catchy....

1. A, 2. B, 3. C, 4. B, 5. C

COMBS Courier

worth more, so if they miss one question they are going to miss a lot more [points].” She also encourages her students to come in during Coyote Skills, ask questions and get help for the Gabby loves final. final exams When asked to describe the way he perpares for finals, CHS freshman, Alex Gutierrez simply stated “read books.” Whereas, CHS junior, Samantha Creech said, “I usually ask my teachers if there is anything specific I should write down, take a lot of notes and I put all my notes together and seperate them by subject.” Creech also suggests that her peers study “with friends, if they don’t distract you.” but Gutierrez thinks that studying alone is better

Texting: From Page 1

Finals: From page 1 By Gabrielle Wells Combs Courier Staff

Friday, December, 10, 2010

“because you focus more.” CHS science teacher, Brea Rivera, expects that the biology finals will have a fairly good outcome, “I don’t expect a lot of Fs on tests.” In highschool, Rivera did all of her homework and studied little by little for her finals, so when the finals finally rolled around she just had to look over everything one more time. She really suggests that students “study vocabulary, because it is the basis of all concepts,” and it is the hardest thing on the biology tests. Rivera also encourges students to be “studying with somebody and quizzing each other.” Also this year, remeber that all the social studies teachers and certain english teachers are allowing students who had a 95 percent or better first and second quarter to forego the final and recieve an automatic A. Now are you feeling better about the final? Maybe…maybe not? Well, don’t worry. Just take a breath and relax because it’ll all be over soon.

By Mitch Werner Combs Courier Staff more popular with the new phones” If you ask the four of them to tell you how many teachers at CHS. they think know how to text, they all would say most of them know how. Stewart said that Do you text Mr. Werner doesn’t in class? know how though “because he’s old!” Lamay said maybe 20 out of the 56 teachers know how to text. Noel thinks that only 95% of the teachers know how to text, and Hernandez says “yeah I think all my teachers know how to text,” Later in the interview they were asked the question that all teachers are probably asking themselves right now: “do you ever text in class” all four of them said yes but each one with expressions of guilt. All except Stewart

who said “yeah” as he chuckled to himself then said “I do all the time” with a guiltless look on his face. Now while we can all text fast, some people (like me) have to look for the letters on the phone while there texting but these four all said they don’t have to when they text. To make it even better they all said they don’t use abbreviations except on big words and don’t use text on MySpace or Facebook. Mark said that he thinks texting language began “Jan 31 2005 at 4:35”, while everyone else said that texting all started as soon as we got lazy, and the texting capabilities came out on the phones is when we started texting. They all said they text at least 6 to 7 people a day and they all said it was addicting to text people but in all I think that the school has a texting addiction.

Get out and do something! Can you hear me now? By Gabrielle Wells Combs Courier Staff “It’s too hot” the excuse often used by people too lazy to get outside and doing something during the summer. It’s winter now, there is no excuse. So, what will you do for winter break? Now that the weather is cooling down across the country how about taking a vacation? For families with young kids, why not go to Disneyland, located Anaheim, Calif. Maybe you’re like CHS math teacher, Tracy Cornelius, who enjoys listening to the waves on the California Coast and “getting out of the monotony of life.” Besides, it is one the things Arizona residents want most…beaches. If you head down to San Diego, Calif., you can chill at the beach and soak up some rays and salty ocean air. Or if you would prefer to go camping and skiing, go to Big Bear Lake, Calif. What if you can’t travel? Well, how about heading over to an indoor pool so you can enjoy the water even in the cold of Arizona. Kiwanis Recreation Center in Tempe has just what you’re looking for. They not only have an indoor water park, but they have sports you can join and indoor picnic areas that you can hang out at. CHS sophomore, Wyatt Terry, likes “to get away from it all” on vacation.

Terry likes to ride and practice motocross, and just enjoy the outdoors. If you too are the outdoorsy type, there is a cheap option for you over this upcoming break; hangout at San Tan Flats. Located in Queen Creek, this saloon and grill is a great place to take the family or just a few friends. San Tan Flats has great food, and fire pits to roast some old s’mores. Sometimes it’s just fun to stay home and relax during break. Even within the confines of your “boring” home, you can do so much. You can play some fun board games, like Fact or Crap, Scrabble, Would You Rather or Apples to Apples. Or if you don’t really like playing board games, get on your Xbox 360 or PS3 and get started playing Call of Duty: Black Ops, or for the less violent people, Rock Band. Then again, sometimes it is just fun to sit on the couch with a plate full of nachos and watch some television. So, even if your break is a month or week, you can always find something to do. Whether it is relaxing in front a television, playing at the beach with your family, like Cornelius, or getting outside and soaking up the cold air at the motocross track, like Terry. Vacation is a time to enjoy getting away from school and have fun, before you have to go back to doing long hours of boring homework.

By Benjamin Ellis Combs Courier Staff There’s good news for Verizon Wireless users who are looking for a more advanced and user friendly cell phone. In January 2011, the iPhone is expected to be sold in Verizon stores. With that excitement, there is potential to bring with it some bad news for Verizon cell phone owners. It is believed by many people that when the Verizon iPhone is released, many AT&T users will switch over in hopes of better service. The foreseeable problem is that if too many people switch to Verizon, the company’s network may become overcrowded, the very same issue that currently plagues AT&T. After being informed of the new arrival for Verizon, many students said that they would not switch over from their current phone com-

pany. Nine out of 10 students at CHS said they would stay with their current provider. The one student who said he was going to make the change said that he was only making the switch because his parents wanted to and he couldn’t afford to pay for his phone with a different company. Verizon Wireless may soon be getting lots of new customers, but could lose them almost immediately after. People today like to get videos and information fast. With overcrowded networks, it could take a lot longer for a video to buffer or for a news article to upload. There would then be a great possibility that upset customers would buy out of their contracts and buy a plan for another company. But for all we know, business may go on as usual, and Verizon will just make a little extra cash.

Did You Know... The Wall Street Journal is predicting that the iPhone 4 will be coming to Verizon wireless in January 2011

Has anyone told you how

Bought your Yearbook yet?

What are yowuaiting for?!

beautiful

you look today?

Yearbooks are $55 through January 31st, and will increase to the regular price of $65 on February 1st. Reserve your copy with a $10 down payment to the bookstore. Order online at shopjostens.com (full payment for online ordering) Reserve your copy no later than January 18.

NOW GO BUY YOUR AD SPACE Already Email us at

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Friday, December, 10, 2010

Winter Wonderland By Adrienna Foster Combs Courier Staff

was accompanied by a swirl of colorful strobe lights or a softer feathering of white The Freshman Student lights for the slow songs. Government put together and Hungry dancers could stop organized this year’s winter by the cafeteria window to formal, themed “Winter in the get pizza and drinks before Woods”. hitting the dance floor once The cafeteria was decked more. out with white and blue balSome students sat at the loon pillars and sparkling light blue tablecloth-covered snowflake centerpieces, along booths and talked about their with several sparkling Christ- weekends while others venmas trees and some animated tured onto the dance floor reindeer. The DJ played a va- to mingle with friends while riety of music, and each song bouncing to the beat.