November 2008

Presorted Standard Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit #56 Paso Robles, CA

Paso Robles High School • Paso Robles,, C California a ifforrnniia alif al

Volume Volu Vo lume 68, Issue 2

PRHS

The President you should know

participates in the polls

by Amanda Bean, Circulation Manager

by Kelsey Garman, Managing Editor

O

ver 1400 PRHS students cast their ir ryy/ vote Oct. 29 and 30 in their history/ ock oc advisement classes, and in the m mock election like the national vote Nov. 4, the wi winner inn nner neerr was clear from the beginning.

RH HS, S, 114 4 1 431 43 Out of the nearly 2200 students at PRHS, 1431 oppullat atio ion onn---ccas aast sstt th thei heeir students--about 60 percent of the school’s population--cast their vote for president.

For President and vice president the students ithh a it selected Barack Obama, and Joe Biden with ns n’ 63 percent approval over McCain and Palin’s 36 percent. And the national vote matchedd PRHS with 52 percent for Obama, and 46

November 12, 2008

O

n Nov. 4, history was made. Barack Obama, the first U.S. African American President, won the 2008 election with final tallies of 349 electoral votes and 63,904,748 popular votes 34 49 el ele le Obama, and 173 electoral and 56,411,851 popular ffor fo orr Ob Oba a vvotes vo ote tees for f McCain. Obama, the 44th president of the United States, is a symbol of hope, change and determination for the American citizen.

“I’m asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington…

A Crimson Chronicle survey of 218 students suggested low knowlI’m asking you to believe in yours,” said Barack edge—19.8% passing rate—about the policies of the newly elected president.

Thrity percent of McCain supporters passed McCain’s portion of the test compared Obama in a New Hampshire speech on Sep. 3, to 16% of Obama’s supporters on his test. This difference may have been influenced by 2007. And the citizens have.

Obama and Biden have planned an Emergency the current wave of liberal reform in a “Bush bashing” age.

Economic Plan including tax on excessive oil “[McCain supporters] have to be more defensive against Obama attacks; [they company profits and use this money to benefit are] probably more likely to go to the McCain website and arm yourself with American family with $1,000 emergency energy why you’re voting for McCain,” said government and psychology teacher Geof rebate; Obama’s long term plan for the middle Land. “The low [survey] scores indicate not a student ignorance. They were too hard for class family.

Obama strives to put $25 billion in a State the average student,” he said.

A complete print out of the test and answers can be found online at www.crimsonchronicle.com Growth Fund to prevent cuts in housing, education and health or increases in property taxes. An additional $25 billion will go toward a Jobs and Growth Fund to replenish the Highway Obama and Biden will create a new American Trust Fund, ensured to finance the National Opportunity Tax Credit worth $4,000 in System of Interstate and Defense Highways and exchange for community service. He will the Federal-aid Highway Program. They plan to improve the assessments used to track student prevent cuts in road and bridge maintenance in order to save jobs for over a million Americans. progress to measure readiness for college.

While juggling this new Economic Plan, Obama believes that any legislation regarding Obama hopes to secure all nuclear weapons same sex marriage should be decided by within one presidential term: four years. If Iran supports terrorism instead of the nuclear individual states. program, the U.S. will bribe them with Immediately upon taking office, Obama will acceptance into the World Trade Organization. give his Secretary of Defense and military If Iran continues to misbehave, Obama plans on “stepping up our economic pressure and commanders a new mission in Iraq: successfully

A random sample of 218 students surveyed on Obama’s Policies

Barack Obama wins mock with 893 votes a 63% majority percent for McCain.

Although the mock election was a “sweep” for the liberals, the conservatives are disgruntled about the outcome of their views.

The students voted on a real sample ballot organized by social studies teacher Stan Cooper and copied different colored paper depending on grade. The Junior State of America Club then studied how grade affected how students voted for president, city officials, and California propositions.

In the end, the freshmen voted the most conservatively, yet still voting for Obama, and No on Prop. 8 Prop. 4, and Prop. 8, according to Cooper.

Prop. 2 The most liberal voters were the sophomores, closely Prop. 4 followed by the juniors. The senior class took voting the “more seriously,” said Cooper, and had a more balanced vote. Once again, they voted for Obama, No on

A break down of a few Obama polices

Education

failed with 55% passed over 2 to 1 failed with 58%

Same-Sex marriage Iraq War

See ‘MOCK’ In-Depth pg. 11

Behind the ballot box Editor-in-chief gets inside look at democracy on election day

by Rebecca Horne, Co-editor in chief

ending the war. The removal of our troops will be responsible and phased.

O

n Nov. 4, 2008, I spent eight hours at a Creston polling precinct, counted ballots, and watched the state and nationwide elections unfold . . . and I didn’t even vote. Yes, I’m only seventeen years old, but that couldn’t stop me from making my presence known at this crucial turning point of American democracy.

Junior Amanda Doyle worked with me on the shift from 2 to 9 p.m.

“I thought it would a good experience now that I’m old enough

See ‘PRESIDENT’ In-Depth pg. 11

to remember it,” said Doyle, who found out about the opportunity from Psychology teacher Geof Land. “I thought, ‘It’s was really important to vote, so why not help if it’s needed?’”

Working for the Creston voting precinct was more about learning than earning: for two hours of training and eight hours of actual work, I was paid $68.50, for an hourly wage far below the state’s legal minimum of $8.00.

But like Amanda, I was far more interested in setting democracy in motion than in earning extra credit in

my government class or extra money for my shopping fund.

My official position was that of “ballot clerk:” I guided voters through the brief check-in procedure, recorded the number of issued ballots, and constantly balanced three lists of voters to make sure that no ballots were lost or unfairly counted.

The real fun, however, began after the polls closed, and all the voters were gone.

See ‘POLL WORKER’ People pg. 4

Political signs prove to be another target for local vandals Opposers act out on others first amendment rights

Chronicle Index

by Zoe Kingsbury, Center Co-editor With all the polarized views of this month’s elections, it seems as though these rising tensions have driven some to the point of law infringement.

“Aaron Palmer, who lives off Kilmer Canyon Road just west of Paso Robles, had his yard sign run over, twice,” reported the Paso Press in Oct. His sign, located on his own property, supported the Democratic ticket, Barack Obama and Joseph Biden.

Also, on the night of Oct. 23, a total of five political sign vandalism incidents were called in, including an attack of a “Yes on prop. 8” sign, according to Lt. Tim Murphy. No one has been prosecuted for these attacks.

“I wouldn’t consider this to be a big problem in Paso, despite a few vandalisms and thefts that have occurred, I wouldn’t consider it to be an ongoing issue,” said Murphy.

No specific penal code addresses ses

political signs in particular; instead the crimes usually fall under vandalism or theft, according to the Paso Press, Oct. 2008. A prosecuted vandal could be looking at punishments of around $400 fines, but this depends mainly on whether or not the case is considered a crime or a felony when the amount of stolen property or damage is taken into account.

Gordon Blasco, a freshman at PRHS, doesn’t see the motives

behind these vandalism crimes.

“I’d probably just look away. I don’t know. I don’t really care what other people think, or what their political views are. Other people have their political views, and I have mine too,” he said.

So what exactly prompts someone to turn to law breaking when they oppose someone else’s ideas? An anonymous PRHS source, who neither denies nor admits to any See ‘VANDALISM’ News pg. 2

WHAT’S INSIDE:

Early Expansion Plans NEWS 2

Environmentalism OPINION 3

News ...................................................2 Opin nio on ........................3 Editorial/O People .................................................4 Juntos .................................................5 Center ............................................... 6 -7 A&E ....................................................8 World..................................................9 Environmeentt....................................10 In-Depth............................................11 Sports ................................................12

Dìa De Los Muertos JUNTOS 5

2

November 12, 2008

New year will bring new look to PRHS Measure T funds pay for new practice gym—and much more

by Rebecca Horne, Co-editor in chief

‘VANDALISM’ Continued from Page 1

in a way that may ethically mean more to the vandal to take it away or change it than to leave it as it is. Depending on how strongly you feel about an issue, the legal risks can be worth it. In some cases, showing that others feel so strongly about it that they will vandalize something can make people think twice about what they’re standing for. You have to pick your battles though; some people may be better left alone with their crazy opinions,” he said.

“Vandalizing anyone else’s property is wrong, and the reason we have such a great society is because we have the right to voice our own opinions,” said Murphy.

Whether or not this battle made a difference on Election Day, it seems that those who show their opinions in a legal manner, and those who choose to oppose them at the mercy of the law, both have the same goal in mind: to make their voices heard.

Trick Or Treat The PRHS band set out in eleven small groups collecting non-perishable goods that range from canned beans to soup on Halloween. This past year the band collected and donated 945 items to the local Food Bank.

The band not only celebrates Halloween, but also finds it to be a wonderful chance to give back to the community for all it has done for them. For several years the PRHS band has taken it upon themselves to help the Food Bank Coalition. The event called, “Trick or treat so someone else can eat” was started in 2005. This event takes place every October 31 and is held in the city of Paso Robles.

Residents of Paso Robles donate a variety of foods, which are taken to feed the less fortunate. The PRHS band students and band director Dr. Kirk Weller, have been donating their time back to the community, by traveling throughout the city of Paso Robles.

“It’s really, really rewarding to know that people, who normally don’t have the chance to eat, get a meal at the end of the day” stated junior PRHS band student and drum line musician Sarah Masters. “This is a great way for us to give back to the community.” Unfortunately Sarah was injured during a recent and unfortunate band accident involving her ankle. She went on to say how sorry she was to not be able to participate, but gave her wholehearted support to the members of the band.

The mutual consensus of the numbers of the band is that there are so many people in this world who are not capable to obtain food for themselves or their families, and this act of kindness not only helps these less fortunate citizens, but also shows just how thankful the PRHS band really is.

—Taylor Szabo

Second Economic Stimulus After Feb., when Congress approved a $152 billion package to stimulate the economy that was sent to tax payers in spring and early summer in hopes of increasing consumerism, a second stimulus is being considered.

With special consideration due to recent economic issues, and a few more ideas on how the stimulus should be aimed, congress may begin to endorse the proposition.

Similarly, the first economic stimulus was determined by eligibility including: marital status, number of children, and the amount of money made annually to determine the total sum received.

“Momentum is building,” says Representative John Spratt of South Carolina, chairman of the House Budget Committee. “The White House says it’s negotiable and we know we need to do something.” However, since the package is only being considered and likely pending a conclusion drawn on the first economic stimulus, there is no final sum yet for how much benefactors might receive.

—Micheal McLean

GasVroom, prices falling vroom… is what we have been hearing less of since Americans have drastically cut back on their driving this year, reducing their gasoline usage at the fastest pace since 1983. As prices peaked, oil consumption fell by six percent in July to its lowest level in five years, while the number of miles driven dropped the most since 1979, according to the latest statistics from the Federal Highway Administration.

Gasoline now sells at $3.60 a gallon on average nationwide, according to AAA, down from its record of $4.11 a gallon in July. Experts say that if oil prices stay from $75 to $100 a barrel for a while, that would likely push gasoline under $3.50 a gallon.

Experts say that a combination of weaker global growth and slumping demand is likely to keep pushing oil prices down in coming months. If oil prices continue to drop, billions of dollars will return into consumers’ wallets and provide badly needed support for a battered economy.

—Monica Patel

Mother’s Cookies Discontinued The closing of Mother’s Cookies on Oct. 8, 2008 was not as sweet as

their cookies. The closure was due to rising cost of raw materials and fuel. If you love the pink and white sprinkled carnival cookies, it is time to stock up because that breed is now extinct.

This Oakland institution of 92 years filed for bankruptcy, and PRHS students are showing great disdain.

“Everyone knows Mother’s makes the most brutal cookies, so I am quite infuriated by the news of its closure,” said senior Nick Dishno.

“I can’t believe it! Are you kidding me?” yelled angered sophomore Daniel Martinez.

—Ethan Baietti

CRIME DOESN’T PAY, IT JUST RELOCATES: Supreme Court of California moved two blocks from Tenth and Vine. Photo by Kelsey Garman

Students won’t have to wait much longer for a brand-new gymnasium and modernized classrooms. As early as this summer, Bearcats can already be celebrating the beginnings of some long-awaited campus changes: a “1000 wing” of new classrooms, an ag center, a new Independent Studies facility, a visual and performing arts center, and, yes, a new gym.

Though Principal Randy Nelson claims that state budget cuts have PRHS looking “leaner” than desired in period scheduling and class offerings, the new principal is excited to announce that PRHS will undergo an impressive construction makeover starting as early as spring break of this year. Students can expect the “A-buildings” next to the gym to be gone when they return from spring break, soon to be replaced by a 20 classroom building called “the 1000 wing.”

According to a progress report released by the PR Joint Unified School District, $3,900,000 of Measure T funding will be spent on this project alone, a modern building that could possibly include its very own tower mimicking the acorn tower in Paso’s downtown.

In addition to the 1000 wing, the district’s priorities

include the PRHS agriculture, independent studies, and physical education programs. A new “ag academy” will be the first of all the construction projects to break ground, with Hoskins predicting a Jun. 2009 start date. Five new classrooms and horticulture and welding labs will allow ag students to prepare “for the real world of work” and free up current ag classrooms to be remodeled as computer labs and a state-ofthe-art Bearcat Broadcast studio.

The front of the Liberty campus across the street will be extended to the sidewalk to include a new Independent Studies center, replacing the run-down center near the Flamson Middle School campus.

Jun. 2010 will bring the construction of a brand-new, $6,000,000 gymnasium to the PRHS campus, to be placed directly behind the current gym.

These athletic facilities will help PRHS sports teams have more practice and playing time on basketball and volleyball courts, as well as offering more rooms for aerobics, yoga, and spinning classes. While some students in water sports have expressed disappointment in the impossibility of a pool in this new gymnasium, PRPS Assistant Superintendent of Finance Gary

Hoskins claims the bond money had to be spent on only the most pressing of needs.

“A pool would be nice, but we just h money,” didn’t have enough he campus said Hoskins. “The rooms, and really needed classrooms, we wanted to get rid of the portables.” ction of a While construction erforming new visual and performing arts center is less sett in stone, the PRHS drama department is hopeful that the Career on (CTE) Technical Education me through grant money will come rnization of in time for the modernization a “Performing Arts Academy” to start in Jun. 2010.

“The focus will be on flexible stage and seating platforms, a box office upgrade, and new lighting and sound systems,” said drama instructor and grant writer Cynthia Anthony, who praised the CTE program for its value of “hands-on, professional education” rather than “classrooms for classrooms’ sake.”

“Our stage now is awfully small, and we don’t have appropriate dressing rooms,” said freshman Preston Spalding, an Advanced Drama student who

SORRY SENIORS:This shows just one wing of the new expansion plan. Graphic by Zach Burgraff.

plans to grace the PRHS stage for all four years of his high school career. “As our plays get more advanced, we need more room.”

So for those who’ve wandered where the Measure T money went, they will soon be seeing the fruit of the taxpayers’ labor in several new facilities that should keep PRHS in step with the most modern of high schools.

Bearcats light up the stage at DTASC

Drama students show off their talent

by Amanda Bean, Circulation Manager Twenty-Eight PRHS drama students traveled down to Los Angles to compete in this year’s Drama Teacher’s Association of Southern California (DTASC) Drama Festival on Saturday Oct. 25. Of the 28, 25 went on to the semi final round, and then 17went to finals. Of the 17 one group composed of Sarah Rose Brush, Marcus Dixon, Andi Russell, and Haley Pryzbyla came out with a second place overall in TechnicalCostume/ Make-Up Design.

“I read the play [A Streetcar Named Desire] and took the characterization of each of the six characters that we did, and made faces [with make-up] depending on their character,” said junior Andi Russell, who spent over 48 hours preparing the make-up.

Brush and Dixon made six

Kaylinda Mabry and Thomas Grandoli, Semi-finalists

different costume designs, five of which were sketches; and the sixth one was put onto a model who was Pryzbyla.

“I was the one that presented to the judges, and unlike the acting part you only present once,” said senior Brush, who was really excited when they were told they got second.

The acting process of DTASC is that groups or individuals perform a scene they select for a set of judges. They compete in the first, and then the second round, the judges then tally up the scores and if the score is high enough the act goes to semi-finals where the act presents again, the top 10 with the highest scores go onto to the finals, after acting one last time the judges put the acts into places one through ten.

One group that made it into the semi-final round was the combo of senior Kaylinda Mabry, and junior Thomas Grandoli.

The two competed in 2 - 4 (people) Serious Category, and went to the semi-final round with their scene.

“I played in a scene from Fat Pig, where

there is a fight between exlovers in an office. I play a girl who is possessive, clingy and crazy,” said Mabry, a four year veteran of Advanced Drama.

“What basically happens is she [Mabry’s character] walks into the break room and explodes on him [Grandoli’s character], it may sound funny, but it’s very serious,” Mabry continued.

The Large Group Comedy consisted of seniors Christa Soto, Jeremiah Bradley, Carol Woode, and Vicktorya Farelas, they made into the semi-final round. “[The scene from the play Media] is an overview of all the Greek tragedies, it is very funny, it had a lot of political jokes in it,” said Soto.

“I had been to semi-finals [before], but I was ready to go to finals and I was bummed when we did not make it,” said Bradley, who went into Saturday with some experience.

All together four PRHS groups got Honorable Mention’s which means they got between sixth and tenth.

The group that competed in Technical- Poster/ Publicity was Thomas Ingraham, Megan

Gearhart, and ray. y y.

Zack Bray.

K e l s e y Quintanar c om p e t e d in the Kelsie Quintanar, Audition Audition Finalist c a t e go r y.

U n d e r Greek Comedy/ Tragedy Makenna Waterfield, Janice Flamm, Aryn Fields, and Kendal Heim. And the last was Large Group Serious which had Michael McLean, Ayrton Parham, Kelsey Garman, James Batdorff, Marcus Vance, and Kye Soloman.

Other groups that went onto the semi-final round were Vivian Hatley who was a competitor, as an individual, under Audition.

Additional Bearcats that participated were the group of Katie Winslow, Dario Gutt, and Andi Russell. They competed in the Plays by Women division.

PRHS students got sixth place overall out of the 67 schools that participated.

“We competed with some of the best programs around, and to get into the top 10 is phenomenal, I am proud of the group that went down,” said drama teacher John Lambie.

Big Bubba’s bad bash praised by most After party conduct questioned

by Caitlin Raithel, PR Manager After the homecoming game on Oct. 17, over 100 PRHS students headed over to Big Bubba’s Bad BBQ on 24th St. to celebrate the football victory over Lompoc. A night of mechanical bull riding, fried food, and lively dancing followed.

Although the conduct of the party was questioned, many school staff members including Principal Randy Nelson, Shannon Gidcumb, Denise Conte, and students throughout the school said the party was a great idea and that we should do more in the future.

The after party brings an impressive impact on the school, letting students realize they can

have a creative, healthy outlet, and still have fun, but every action has a reaction.

“It really was a great event; you got to see people who usually don’t hang out blend together, dancing with each other, and having a great time,” said Gidcumb.

However, complaints of a few parents arose the next morning overshadowing the event.

Invitations passed to students during the school day used the term ‘mocktails,’ upsetting a few.

“They thought we were trying to promote underage drinking at the party,” stated Gidcumb, the coordinator of the event. Several

students suggested the Big Bubba’s concept to Gidcumb in weeks prior.

Some parents found the use of Budweiser cups and the ending time for the party [1:30 a.m.] inappropriate for teenagers. The invitations sent out to students had said “not a school event,” but the need for your school ID at the door and the PRHS letterhead proved otherwise to the eyes of a few parents.

“A parent had approached me after the party and complained about the behavior of the teenagers that night saying they were “stripping” and drinking “fauxtinis” which they found

improper,” said Mrs. Conte Partly in connection, Gidcumb informed the staff that as of Oct. 22 she would no longer facilitate, organize, or direct any activities that are student driven.

“I chose to step back from student run activities because I felt that the school is heading in a different direction,” said Gidcumb.

As for the reactions of the school to Gidcumb’s decision, several were shocked and disappointed.

“It’s sad to see her step down from this position. The students adored her, and she had really great ideas,” said Mrs. Conte.

November 12, 2008

3

Dear Crimson Chronicle,

The vegan population in the UK jumped 2.1% from 2006 to 2007, by far the highest level in the past decade.

Yeah

S y You Want to Be an Environmentalist?

“Green Fakers” overshadow those who really care

Percentage of Vegans

Percentage of vegan population in the UK

Year

by Sara Callahan, Co- Editor in Chief

RETRACTION

molecule at a time, I must question the motivation of not all, but some, of those who claim to live an eco-friendly life. Today the market advertises the message of buying “green” things.

Large retailers stock their shelves with T-shirts and totes designed with catchy slogans such as “it’s easy being green,” “100% Vegan,” and “save water, share a shower” Ironically, by purchasing one of these items you’re not helping save resources, but encouraging ecohypocrisy. In fact, if you really wanted to help the environment you should buy a shirt from a secondhand store. The true environmentalists are those who j that. do just

“I’ve been vegan for 11 months so far and plan to be vegan for the rest the rest of my life. I’m excited to join the Peace Core stationed in Africa.

I graduated high school a year early and I’m set up to graduate [college] a year early so I can be involved as soon as possible. Those shirts and bags make me angry. It’s encouraging environmentalism to be a fad when you bring it into something as fad-obsessed as the fashion industry. I don’t even own any of those items. Promoting

environmentalism is cool, but most people who buy those are hypocrites,” said PRHS alumni Sonia Slavinski.

The tops and totes that are “toteally” eco-friendly are those made of recycled products or 100% organic cotton, not Victoria’s Secret’s Pink clothing line. It is understandable that a critical role in reversing the negative effects of our society on the earth is awareness. One may believe this is the purpose of such apparel. However, spreading awareness only works to a certain extent; whereas putting your thoughts into actions― as Slavinski has done― sets the best example. Slavinski is one of 52 percent of vegans who became vegan between the ages of 16 and 24 for environmental and animal rights reasons, according to the Vegan Research Panel. This age range also happens to be the market for the earthy logos. Obviously, not as many people are acting on their thoughts as they are buying t-shirts. The organic cotton industry has skyrocketed, while the number of vegans in the US a mere 0.5 percent.

The way our culture is making protecting the environment a fashionable cause is in turn not making it necessary or urgent—which it is. For some, this is only a fad perpetuated by trendiness. For some, their actions are driven by fear. And for some, this is their lives.

Unfortunately, the truth about the first two motivations is that they are

The Crimson Chronicle staff apologizes for not giving fair representation to the PRHS security staff in our October In-Depth story, “Codename: Random baggage search.” We wish to rededicate ourselves to “getting it right” when we tell stories and we express our remorse in not doing so in the last issue. We would also like to express our great appreciation for the hard work and dedication that our security staff pours into students each and every day.

Sara Callahan

Rebecca Horne

Kelsey Garman

Max Vermy

Jeff Mount

Co-Editor-in- Chief

Co-Editor-in- Chief Sports Co-Editor

Managing Editor A&E Co-Editor

Managing Editor Front Page Editor

Advisor

www. crimsonchronicle.com 801 Niblick Rd. Paso Robles, CA 93446

Paso Robles High School (805) 237- 3315 EXT. 5601 Room 601

Karlee Anderson

Aryn Fields

Monica Patel

Melissa Serna

Tyler West

News Editor

In-Depth Co-Editor

People Co-Editor

Center Co-Editor

World Co-Editor

Ethan Baietti

Kellie Kennan

Jessica Madrid

Brandon Stegall

Torey Wise

Editorial Editor

Enviroment Editor

Health Editor

Sports Co-Editor

Fun & Games Editor

Amanda Bean

Zoe Kingsbury

C.J. Prusi

Meaghan Sullivan

Circulation Manager

Center Co-Editor

People Co-Editor

Opinion Editor

Zach Burggraf

Jairo Loranca

Caitlin Raithel

Taylor Szabo

Webmaster Photo Editor

Business Manager

P/R Manager

Business Team

Alicia Canales

Michael McLean

Gloria Rivera

Christina Weber

In-Depth Co-Editor

A&E Co-Editor

Juntos Editor

World Co-Editor

Guest Appearances

Mathew Pridgeon Chynna Rowe

The Crimson Chronicle is an independently funded, monthly publication of the journalism class at Paso Robles High School. We publish monthly newspapers free to students and teachers. Subscriptions are available for US mail delivery for $15. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the staff and do not necessarily reflect the views of Paso Robles High School, its faculty, administration, or students. The Crimson Chronicle is an open forum for the exchange of ideas. We welcome feedback in the form of letters and emails. Letters must be signed but names can be with held upon request. All stories, graphics, typesetting, and layouts are completed by Paso Robles High School students. The staff actively pursues advertisement accounts but reserves the right to refuse those deemed overly controversial or aimed at illegal behavior.

The Crimson Chronicle is designed using Adobe InDesign and Photoshop and prints with North County Newspapers, Atascadero, CA. Email: prhsjournalism@pasoschools.org

Data provided by Vegan Resource Panel (www.imaner.net)

only temporary. Fads go in and out of style; so as soon as these logos become “so last season,” so does the rest of the effort for most. As for the latter, if fear is the only stimulus for their actions, all will cease as soon as one becomes unafraid. Fear of the depletion of the ozone, fear of rainforest deforestation, and fear of the polar bears dying can all be snuffed by a new theory of one scientist.

Don’t get me wrong; any effort on anyone’s part to preserve the natural environment is creditable, but we can’t treat this cause like it’s something hip.

Right here and now, environmentalism is all the rage. So are people really “going green” or just trying to look good? I suppose we can separate the green fakers and those who truly care by deciphering between those who actually do go organic and those who just tell everyone else to with their barrage of tree hugger slogan tees. Unfortunately, until then, these posers are negatively generalizing the intentions and integrity of genuinely concerned advocates such as Slavinski.

LET TER TO THE EDITOR

Green is the new black, green is “hott,” and green is taking over the industries. By definition, an environmentalist is an expert on environmental problems or any person who advocates or works to protect the air, water, animals, plants, and other natural resources from human pollution or its effects.

Since the rebirth of the environmentalist movement urged

by Al Gore’s documentary “An Inconvenient Truth,” environmental awareness has been spread as quickly as a high school rumor. I commend this renewed effort, because it seems to be working slowly but surely; the global production of organic cotton increased by 53 percent from 2006 to 2007, according to Organic Exchange, reducing the amount of pesticides that pollute our environment. But there is one drawback to this “green” movement in America: it’s so, like, totally super trendy.

I encountered one teen on campus with a huge green sticker covering her pencil pouch. “Vote for the environment,” it read. ‘So are you for the green party?’ I asked. ‘No. Well, not really. I just like the sticker,’ she responded. I casually questioned the person about the candidate of the Green Party—which she knew nothing about. For their sake I’ll keep them anonymous, for it is people like these who prove my point.

Although I agree and participate in this effort to save the ozone one gas

Your October article, “The Day ¡Viva México! Replaced 9/11,” claims that PRHS traded vibrant dances for a solemn tribute to the victims of 9/11. Yet we believe you disregarded the work of OUR PRHS students and was derogatory to those participants.

Our focus was to celebrate diversity. I was incredibly proud of our students and their cultural heritage and achievements on this day.

What would any of you look like to your peers trying to do a cultural dance of the United States? How many hours would you have to practice to get it to look as well synchronized as the Baile Folklorico Cachanilla group did? Would you pay for your costumes yourselves by earning the money like the dancers of Cachanilla?

Would your parents be proud that you are using your time wisely rather than wasting it on drugs or alcohol?

Would you demonstrate your skill in front of your peers, possibly risking disapproval on this day? It was a shame that the paper criticized the effort and performance of our very own students and that your attitude was not more fully represented by an action or an event as theirs was.

We are pleased the Chronicle is covering the truth, as shown in El Dia de Los Muertos, all students care about 9/11. Senior students under Mrs. Molina’s direction did an outstanding job of honoring those who perished in 9/11 by creating a culturally appropriate commemorative display in the library where they spoke to students about what that created.

While I appreciate the Chronicle I would like to see more depth and respect in future articles in which the achievements of our Paso Robles students are recognized respectfully.

That includes teachers actually being interviewed rather than requesting data on the fly.

Sincerely, Mrs. Linda Bernhardt & Mrs. Molina

4

November 12, 2008

‘POLLWORKER’ Continued from Page 1

I stared at the long, blackand-white tape coming out of the voting machine, unable to conceal my anticipation.

Here were my precincts’ exact results-some deciding future laws and leaders-being printed out like a supermarket receipt. Now it was time to make sure that the little receipt matched the ballots inside the machine before the ballots were escorted to SLO by the police.

“This is where you’re going to question voters’ intelligence,” laughed my precinct inspector Corin Ryan, who was legally responsible for the fair counting of every ballot.

And indeed, as we emptied the Accuvote machine and sorted through all the ballots, I couldn’t believe what I saw: whole ballots filled out incorrectly (even though directions to completely fill in each scantron oval were posted everywhere), ballots with most propositions left blank, and votes cast for Mickey Mouse . . . and “God.” But after sifting through the good, the bad, and the ugly, the real difficulty was in counting every single voter’s signature so that every list and result receipt matched up.

After balancing every hour’s vote counts until my eyes burned out of their sockets, I have grown to appreciate the fact that yes, while politics can provide for some exciting drama every few years, monotonous work is always going on somewhere behind the scenes.

“ G o d bless you for doing this,” said one elderly voting supervisor after I had counted 381 signatures four times in a row.

And yet, in addition POLLWORKER: CoEditor-in-Chief, Rebecca to my more Horne mundane tasks as a clerk, I enjoyed some personal moments of connection with the voters, seeing the sparkle in a spunky 19-yearold’s eye as she strutted to the ballot box for the first time.

My favorite voters were a young couple who lived down the street from the polling station and wheeled their small children, still in their Halloween costumes, to the polls in a little red wagon. The little toddlers gazed up at their parents, in awe of the ballot box without even understanding its importance.

While I may not have always felt like I was “on the front lines of democracy” (as California Secretary of State Debra Bowen described Californian poll workers), I am proud to have played my minuscule role in the democratic process on Nov. 4. Who knows how long we’ll have to wait for another election as historic as this one proved to be?

Long hair and loud music Efferus plays a lunchtime show on 10/31

Anything but riffraff from Refrath Ingo Simmons says America is not what is on TV

by Jessica Madrid, Health Editor Coming in from the same home town as supermodel Heidi Klum, weighing at 150 lbs and standing at 6’2”, is none other than German foreign exchange student, Ingo Simons.

Upon his arrival from Refrath, Germany, Simons had a clear vision of what he expected California to be like, based on what he had seen on the TV. “When I thought of California I really [didn’t think] of a town like Paso. More like the image you see in the TV of the huge beaches of SoCal and I never imagined that there [would be] real cowboys, I thought [they were] either in the heartlands or just in old times,” said Simons.

Now that he’s officially met with Americans, Simons joked, “They are all fat and should all drink some V8’s.”

But in all seriousness Simons believes, “Americans are way more open-minded than Germans. Americans are diverse.

You have people from any culture here and basically they are very nice.”

Others such as Gregg Williams, Simons’ host-father and known history and government teacher, would agree that Simons, in turn, is very a nice guy with a great personality.

“We laugh everyday. He has a lot of quick wit, I think is what you would call it,” said Williams.

Williams also respects Simons’ wide knowledge of engines. “He’s quite mechanically inclined so I learn a little from him on that. We can drive on the freeway and he’ll point out cars and what their engines are like and I’ll pretend to understand half of it,” said Williams.

Due to his great interest in mechanics, Simons is glad at the fact that PRHS provides classes for auto shop, something that isn’t provided back at his school in Germany.

The availability of auto shop isn’t the only difference of our school

system compared to Simons’. He is also becoming more accustomed to the schedule considering that in Germany he never had the same schedule every day and the students remain in high school until their junior year.

It isn’t such a bad change for Simons, but there are a few things that he misses. For one, the drinking ngg age in Germany is 16, butt not in the U.S. He iss also a vegetarian and with all the fast-food od restaurants providedd in Paso Robles, it hass become quite difficultt for Simons to maintain his typical diet. Simons doesn’tt only miss the simple ple pleasures of his life fe in Refrath, but the people ple is what he truly misses.

“It is weird when hen you sometimes lay in your bed b d andd think about home. What are the people at home doing right now? And do places change when you come back?” said Simons.

Although there is plenty that Simons misses about Germany, he is very much enjoying his time here in the U.S. and will be quite sad once the day he must leave finally arrives. Simons even joked, with a touch of seriousness, that Mountain Dew is what he would miss the most.

“There’s never a dull moment with Ingo, so when he leaves the house, it’s missing somebody who has a lot off personality and a lot of visibility,” said Williams.

On return to Germany, Simons hopes to become an aeronautical engineer, “but I have to improve my math skills,” remarked Simons, and would definitely consider coming back to visit the real sandy beaches of California.

AND INGO WAS HIS NAME-O: Ingo Simons shows off all his ‘gut’ looks.

Photos by Jessica Madrid

Bubble Talk

The results are in!

And the winner is...

Whe leavere should my s I am p le?

Entry submitted by Tyler Dukes

Honorable Mention: Michael Cozine-White: “This is supposed to be the cure for cancer... it looks angry.”

-Flask: “I will take over the world.”

Natasha Morgan-White: “This potion will give you super human strength and mind-blowing intellect.”

-Flask: “That’s what you think...”

Photos by Chynna Rowe

METALICIOUS: Band members Nick Dishno, Anthony DeMetri, Cliff Mendez, Zach Harvey, and Aaron Bruce of Efferus rock out.

Stay tuned for December’s edition of Bubble Talk; enter for a chance to win a Jamba Juice card!

November 12, 2008

5

Festejando un día de memorias PRHS commemorates Día de los Muertos Teachers and students create displays for Day of the Dead at PRHS library

by Monica Patel, People Co-Editor More than 500 years ago, when the Spanish Conquistadors landed in what is now Mexico, they encountered natives practicing a ritual that seemed to mock death. It was a ritual the indigenous people had been practicing at least 3,000 years that the Spaniards would try to unsuccessfully destroy.

Unlike the Spaniards, who viewed death as the end of life, the natives viewed it as the continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. To make the ritual more Christian, the Spaniards moved it so it coincided with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 1-2), which is when it’s eminent today. The holiday is known as Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

Although many Americans believe that Day of the Dead is somehow related to Halloween, it’s not. “People might confuse Day of the Dead with Halloween because of the orange and black colors, skulls, and the proximity of the two holidays (Oct. 31 and Nov. 1-2),” said senior Vianca Botello.

Day of the Dead is actually meant for people to reflect on past years of their deceased loved ones.

In rural Mexico, people visit the cemetery where their loved ones are

buried. They decorate gravesites with marigold flowers and candles. They sit on picnic blankets next to gravesites and eat the favorite food of their loved ones. Doing all of this is a great way for family to come together and reminisce about their loved ones.

While in the United States and in Mexico’s larger cities, families build altars in their homes, dedicating them to the dead. They surround these altars with flowers, food, and pictures of the deceased. They light candles and place them next to the altar.

Here at PRHS, teachers and students came together to create displays at the library in order to educate students about Day of the Dead. Two themed altars and a traditional altar were built at the library. Lots of papel picado was hung, web lessons were on display, and students learned the history.

Nancy Merced, Ieni Mireles, Lucy Cuara, Maria Fuerte, Yanired Gonzalez, and Diana Orozco spent an entire day making an altar that was themed Francisco “Pancho” Villa. “I like that we continue our tradition, although it can also be sad. At home, we make a small altar, like a mini shrine; it’s not elaborated,” said Gonzalez.

Food also is an important factor

to Day of the Dead. “My favorite food is pan de muerto, which is ‘bread of the dead’. It’s sweet and cinnamon flavored,” said Cuara.

The girls who were in the senior group: Alma Rodriguez, Vianca Botello, Yessica Munguia, Yesenia Mora, and Yarely Villa put a lot of time and effort into making an altar that was dedicated to 9/11. “We chose our theme to be 9/11 because a lot of countries lost loved ones and it was a scary feeling,” said Botello.

The altar that the senior girls made for 9/11 was a WORLD WIDE PRIDE: Victims of 9/11 are remembered by a traditional very non-traditional way Hispanic way. all photos by: Monica Patel of celebrating Day of the Dead, but something they Bernhardt. Mrs. Bernhardt’s spanish also an opportunity to share culture thought was different and were proud classes made papel picado (cut tissue with the rest of the school.”

Day of the Dead is a holiday of. paper) and did internet web lessons.

“We create altars at home, but they “We have been doing displays for that creates a vibrant world for the are smaller versions,” said Botello, Día de los Muertos altars at PRHS for deceased to be remembered. If it Mora, and Rodriguez. three years now,” said Bernhardt. “This is continuously revived in families The traditional altar was created by year was special because there was an throughout the years, it will surely be teacher Cindy Schroeder’s classes. altar, which was a beautiful tribute to known as the holiday of the dead that “Her classes did it as a group the victims of 9/11. Día de los Muertos lives on forever. project,” said Spanish teacher Linda at PRHS raises awareness, and there’s

LA MADRE: The Virgin Mary is looking over the loved ones that have been lost, such as a mother looks over her children.

THE DEAD ARE GRACED WITH ART: Religious items are there to help their souls.

A RESPECTED SOUL REST: Pancho Villa is being honored by PRHS students.

In October, the Chronicle pointed out a Hispanic event that did not honor 9/11. This November, we would like to acknowledge the DDLM display that did honor the lives lost.

DON’T LOSE YOUR HEAD: Sugar skulls are popular during Dia de los Muertos.

Emotional Healing From the Physically Incurable Often lives are lived swept up in the excitement of what’s happening in the moment, while the health of the body and mind are taken for granted. However, what lies beneath the surface are the battles people face everyday. Through several students’ confessions we learn of the way a few diseases and disorders have shaped their lives and those of the ones they love. They have changed perspectives, developed in uniqueness, been hurt, and become stronger. In this report, the realities of these struggles are exposed by the stories of a few of the many individuals who have a story to tell.

A world suffering from Alzheimer’s

Students with autism conquer everyday struggles

The strides to end this disease

Autism increases tenfold in ten years

by Karlee Anderson, News Editor “We’re on the move to end Alzheimer’s,” read the purple shirts of over 400 people on Oct. 26, on which was held the Alzheimer’s Association’s largest national fundraiser.

Laguna Lake, the location of this year’s local Memory Walk, a 5K walk where teams form, and make strides for a common cause; to raise money for Alzheimer’s research. This event rose over $80,000 in donations for the Alzheimer’s Association.

“It was so hard to watch her suffer,” said one anonymous PRHS student “I would go visit her in the home and she wouldn’t even remember me or my family.”

This is the granddaughter of one of the many effected by Alzheimer’s, which is a progressive disease, it gets worse over time and is fatal; it’s the most common form of dementia, and effects more then five million Americans. It essentially kills brain cells, which causes problems with memory.

Alzheimer’s is also the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, surpassing diabetes according to www.alz.org. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, only treatment and care.

byy Melissa Melissaa SSerna, erna, er naa, Cen Center Ce ter err Co-Editor CCoo-Edit

Events like the Memory Walk are put on to raise money to find a cure for this genetic disease. Every 71 seconds someone develops this disease; that’s someone uncle, grandma, father or mother. This is why this cause is so widespread, chances are someone you know is battling Alzheimer’s or knows someone who is. Research is essential, without a cure, Alzheimer’s could effect up to sixteen million people by 2050.

“She used to live alone, totally independent, then we started to realize that she wasn’t okay. She kept forgetting to call us, or come over for dinner or sometimes even our names. Our whole family was in denial, ‘she’s fine’ or ‘she’s just getting older’ were popular excuses for her behavior. When we found her walking down the middle of the street we took her to the doctor, and she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I had no idea what it was; I was only twelve years old. When she moved in I started to understand the disease. She had always loved the water, she was the cool grandma that would go swimming with all of the kids, but the first night after she moved in, she wouldn’t touch

the th water. It was w s just wa just ju s hard too watch, atch tcch, hard hhar a d to see someone some om meone youu love suffer.” lovee ssuf uffe uf fer.” fe PRHS juniors PR HS PR H junio orrss Chrissy hrri r issssy Davis D vi Da viss and Maritza Juarez arriitza t za tz Juar Ju arez attended the enndded e the he Memory emo morryy Walk, mory Wal a k, k and a nd were re deeply deee eeplly moved m veed mo by its eevents. vent ve nts. s. ““II hadd noo idea,” idea deea, a,” said s id sa d Davis avi viis “T ““There The heree were weree tons ns of ns of people peopl pe peop oop ple le here, herree,, tons ns of o heartbreak, heartb hea he bre reak ak k, tons nss of of support; supporr t; it it was wa heartbreaking artbreakin in ng to hear hearr the hea stories orie ies off the ie thee loved llov oved ov ed d oones, neess,, butt heartening h arr teni he teni te n ng ttoo know kkn now no that att so so many many people peo eopl plee care.” pl care.”

Both thh students sstude dentts ran raan the the 5K, 55K K, and their eiir teamed team med d raised raise sedd over se oov ver three thrree e hundred nndd re red ed do dollars..

“I “I don’t don’t have have av ve a family fami fa mily ly member em mb ber e that tha h t died dieed di d ooff it it oorr anything, ythhhiing yt ng,, and and I really real rea ally ly felt feellt like like I was waas part w part ooff so ssomething meeth hing in ng huge,” hu uge ge,” ,” saidd Juarez Juaareez “I can’t can an’tt imagine ima magi ggiinee STEPPING CLOSbeing in ng directly dire di r ct re ctly ly aaffected ffeccte ff tedd by by iitt lik llike ike ke ER TO A CURE: so many man anyy people ppeeop ople l are, le are re,, this this event eveent nt over 400 people was as life-changing.” lliife fe-c -cha -c hang ha n in ng ing. g.”” g. raised over $80,000 “She “She “S he died ddie iedd two two years year ye arrs ago, ag goo,, and and d in donations for the it rea really our family She eall ea llyy hi ll hitt ou u r fa ami mily hhard. ardd. S ar hhee Alzheimer’s Assuffered ffer ff ered ed d ffor or yyears, ears ea rs, no rs not ot kn knowing nowin ng sociation on the Oct. who ho sh shee was, waas, not not knowing k no now wingg her wi her er 26 Memory Walk miily ly,, he herr me memo morr iess, and mo a d how an hho ow ow family, memories, at Laguna Lake. to gget morning et ddressed resssed ress ed iin n th thee mo m orn rnin in ng Alzheimer’s is the m days,” me dday a s, ay s,” confessed conf co nfes fes esse sedd the the sixth leading cause of some death in the U.S. anonymous source. on nym ymou ouss so ou sour urce ur c . ce A world worl wo rldd rl w without ith hou outt Alzheimer’s zhei zh eim ei mer’ me r s is is the the h vision vission vis ion of io o thee Alzh Alzheimer’s Association.

A lzh zhei eime ei mer’ r’ss As r’ A soci so soci ciat a io ionn. n. nd th tthey hey yw illl “n il not sstop ttoop uun ntiil And will “not until their eirr goal ei goal iiss re reached.” eac achheed. ed. d.”

F

our ou u r hhigh igh school boys sat in desks in ddes esks arranged in a es circle, a couple focused ci onn their lunche lunches, others eyes the room, wandered around arou seemingly contemplative, co or possibly dis distracted as their classmates discussed classmate their post-high po school plans. Judging J by their otherw otherwise ordinary ap appearances, ppe pea few would w wo ouull guess that aall al ll four of these boys, bbo oys ys along with a nnu number u of their ppeers, pe eerr eer share one thing th thi hing ing in common: they th ey y are all affected by a nneurobiological ddisorder di iso s rd so rder er known aass aut utis is autism spectrum ddisorder. di issoord ord rde der er. Autism Auuuttis A is is a complex ddevelopmental de dev eve velo loppm menttaal al disorder that 1 in 1150 in 50 ppersons 50 e sonss are born with, er aabout abo ab bou out 800 percent perce cen of which are ma m ale le. male.

Approximately Ap pprrox oxiim matel attely ely 20 students el at P RHS RH S ha hhave hav ave ve bbee eenn ddiagnosed with ee PRHS been A Au utism tiism m, bu but ut 9 pa pparticipate rtic rt icip ic ipaattee in an autism ip Autism, discusses ssupport sup su upp ppor or t group ort grou gr roupp offered oofffe f re red att PRHS. PR RH HS. S. The The group Th g cu u rrrren ren ent is ent iissues, issu ssu s es, ess, st sstresses ressses re ess ooff diffi diffi ficculties, uullttiies social issues, current bull bu llyyi ll ying, ngg, and aan nd everyday ev ver er yd eryd ydayy llif i e. if bullying, life.

A Au uttiis issm m is a “spe peect ct rruum ddisorder,” iso soordder er,” ,” aaffecting ffec ff ecti ti each person Autism “spectrum autism is in vvarying in aarr ying degrees and and nd bbehaviors. ehav eh av avio viors io ors. For For many, m merely perception meerely a difference in n pper eerrcceept erc p io ionn in tthe he way way that their rigid and more sensitive an sen nssiitive way way ay of of thinking tth hhin inki king ng causes cause cau sees them to absorb and informationn in in a unique uni niiqu que way. w y. To wa T daay 1 iin n 150 individuals information Today he aautism utism m sspectrum, ppeect ct rum r u m, m aak kiinng it it more common fall on th the making ped dia iatric cancer, can ancceerr,, diabetes dia i beetes tees and an nd AIDS AI AI than pediatric combined, according to autismspeaks.org. auttis isms mspe peaks. aks.or org. rg. au utiissm m spectrum sppeecctt ru rum m is is so so wide-ranging wide wi dee-r -rran an The autism that there aarre ma m any ny ssets ets of ets et of ccharacteristics hara hara ha raccter er istics eac eri achh pe pperson r are many each affected by it ccould oou ulld uld d ddisplay, ispl is ispl play play ay, an andd ma m nyy llevels evels of their iintensities. nten nt en it many “If high “IIf they tth hey ey aare ree hhig ig gh on on the the spectrum spectrum theyy could cou ou show many characteristics they char arraaccte teri erist riist s ic i s of of aautism, uutti tism iissm, m, tthe hey could have a vvery he er rigid way of er

thinking, difficulty with social interactions, high sensitivity, tendency to perseverate, or have difficulty with abstract thinking,” said Special Education Teacher Paula Peargin, who facilitates a group every week for students with autism.

Children with autism usually avoid eye contact with others, display repetitive behavior and have difficulty in social situations. “[People with autism] are very sensitive to certain sounds, smells, and textures. They are very perceptive in many ways and less perceptive in some ways,” said Peargin.

However, those who appear to fall lower on the spectrum seem to show certain characteristics in a milder form.

“You might have one characteristic, or some, but in a very mild form [if a person is on a lower end of the spectrum],” she said.

Autism has become more easily recognizable as its symptoms can be detected in children as young as six months.

“My parents found out [I had autism] when I was four, and I found out when I was ten,” said an anonymous junior with autism, one of about 20.He was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a milder form of autism in which one excels academically, but socially, finds it challenging to connect with others.

“Academically I’ve been doing very well, but socially… bullying was a rancid problem that never ended. I stay in the mild range. There’s the social issues and the bullying [that are problematic], but I’m not someone who’s mentally retarded,” he said.

The struggle of living with autism requires patience and understanding from others, and a lack of cooperation with those on the spectrum could hurt their feelings

more than one would think.

“One [of my weaknesses] is that I always get angry easily if someone mocks me. I can’t control my anger as easily as other people can,” said one sophomore, who was also diagnosed with Asperger’s.

The prevalence of autism has risen tenfold over the past decade, and epidemiologists estimate the number of children with autism in the US could reach xt de ecad ccaaddee, ac acco co orrddin din ng to o aau utiissmuti m-heelp p.orgg.

4 million in the next decade, according autism-help.org.

Some are not sure if it has bbe become eco come me more mor oe common, or just easier sier to id identify; dent een nti tify f y; experts say it’s both. h. Th T Thee cca cause aus usee remains unknown, but there thheere re aare r re s, genetics, gene ge netics tics,, and a d an theories of vaccines, atypical brain development, among oppm meent nt, am mon ongg others, causing autism. m. as a di ddisorder, isord iso soorrddeerr, Autism is definedd as sm m continues con co onttiinu nues es to to but generally, as autism eccom omin omin ng m mo ore re rise in America, it is bbecoming more of a common and acceptable accept p ab bllee way of thinking. issm “People with autism ay could be on their way w to creating a new ‘norm,’” said Peargin. n. n.

Special Education Teacher Paula Peargin facilitates an autism support group with nine PRHS students.

The most dreaded disease Cancer hits close to home

by Sara Callahan, Co-Editor in Chief

W

hen asked who the most influential person in their life has been, most students respond with one of their parents.

Senior Kelley Burdett is no different from these adolescents—except that her parents are no longer alive.

Burdett’s mother was unfortunately not one of the 66 percent to survive cancer annually according to the American Cancer Society. Burdett’s mother, Janine, was diagnosed in 2002 with Stage III breast cancer, the second most developed stage of cancer, caused by chance of internal factors “I didn’t think it was a big deal when I first found out. On TV you see people get through it all the time, so I wasn’t worried. The summer before my freshman year I realized it was a bigger deal than I thought it was—when she started losing her hair.”

Increasing technological advances have allowed more cases of this growth and spread of abnormal cells to be detected in recent years, explaining why the majority of the population has had some form of contact with a cancer victim. These same advances have led to Chemotherapy, the most common treatment for preventing the recurrence of cancer after first attempts of surgical removal.

“She’d always be sick from chemotherapy,” said Burdett. “She kept slipping everyday. In ninth grade I’d come home from school everyday and go in her room just to make sure she was still breathing.”

Though it may be for the greater good, Burdett is

not alone in thinking that Chemotherapy is the most difficult aspect of watching a loved one struggle with this disease. One anonymous PRHS student, whose parent was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, elaborates.

“It’s the hardest part of cancer. It took everything out of her. She went from being a mom who was always ‘in my business,’ to a mom who only laid in bed. It was just sad. She wants to do so much, but she’s limited by her physical condition. The symptoms of chemo pass, but long term she has Neuropathy (numbness) and loss of memory. Sometimes she’s cooking and touching the stove, and doesn’t realize it until her hand is burnt.”

A so-called “grief group,” overseen by Mrs. Neely and Terry Lassiter, formed on campus for those students who have lost a parent either physically or emotionally.

Burdett, among ten others meet in room 505 every Wednesday to talk and vent about their similar situations.

When Burdett’s mother passed what she needed most was support, which this group provided― unlike her friends.

“At first when people found out, they just avoided talking to me about it. Only two people acknowledged it happened when I came back [to school] a week after her death. Not even my friends…” trailed Burdett. “I only remember the very beginning of my freshman year and the night she died. I kept my grades up because I didn’t know what else to do with myself. I hid myself in my schoolwork so I wouldn’t think about what really IN LOVING MEMORY: Kelley Burdett and her mother in 2002. Burdett’s mother hurt. I focused on sports; it was easier to do the strenuous, passed away in 2005 after a long battle with breast cancer.

painful workout than to feel the emotional pain. What I remember most was is that she was always optimistic.

Now I know what’s important in life and live accordingly.

Now I know that bad things can happen to me. I feel she left me her wisdom and strength. Without it I wouldn’t see life as I do now: for what it truly is― yet still see the beauty in it. Without the sorrows in life, the joys wouldn’t be as great.”

These sorrows are indeed immense as 565,650 are projected to die from cancer by the end of this year according to the American Cancer Society. However, the anonymous source agrees with Burdett that the joys are far more valuable.

“My mother’s disease has brought my family closer.

It made me realize that they’re not always going to be there, so you need to love the times that they are.”

art by Zoe Kingsbury

8

DANCE November 12, 2008

Photos by Kelsey Garman and Gloria Rivera

So they know they can dance

Jazz ‘n Co starts this year’s greatest challenge

by Michael McLean, Arts and Entertainment Co-Editor

Photos by Ethan Baietti, Kelsey Garman and Michael McLean

We know the grapevine, electric slide, running man, sprinkler and chicken dance; b u t what are f lauttes, pliets, and compase turns? For Jazz ‘n Co dancers , this is simple talk for moves they use in

““Since Since this t is my third year and last yyear in J ‘n Co, I’m really looking forw forward to choreograp choreographing and working hhard to produce an ama amazing dance show at tthe end of the scho school year. Dance sho shows have always be been the most memo memorable moments of hig high school dance!” JJordan Casper, Vice Pre President

choreography; all of which are used in preparation for football games and the yearly dance show.

“We choreograph dances and then, depending on how well they go with the theme, they’ll get chosen for the show,” said Jazz ‘n Co treasurer, sophomore,

and dancer of 13 years Makinzie Smith.

In April the Jazz ‘n Co class will take part in this year’s dance show which will feature many dances comprised and choreographed by the students themselves.

“We just started [choreography for the dance show],” said Smith. However that doesn’t mean the students are new to dancing and choreographing. “[For auditions] we had to choreograph our own one minute dance and perform that,” said sophomore S a r a Cromwell.

Starting off the school year by performing at the school

“I am most looking forward to the dance show since it is my senior year and it is another chance I get to perform.”

Cerra Cavalletto, President

“I am lookingg forward to improving my technique echnique and to the dance show that we put on in the spring.”.” Demi Boggs, Secretaryy with classmates. es.

Some students udents join the class as a way to get out of typical P.E.,., while others join for the dance nce show. “I’ve always been dancing, and I just thought it’d be cool to be able to dance at the high school as well and let my peers ssee all my hard work; because times at the studio no one ever a lot of tim knows I da dance, so it’s cool to show my spirit at school sch with dance.,” said senior and Jazz ‘n ‘ Co vice president Jordan Casper who whh also looks forward to the spring “Our yearly dance “O show and the creative dances show.

we ca can come up with to connect to our theme ‘Time conne travels.’” Makinzie Smith, Treasurer

homecoming pep ep rally and home ome football games, ames, the class lass set a solid foundation oundation to build uild on, and look to

ming upcoming events.

Jazz ‘n Co will perform on Nov 7 at the football game and the dance show opening April 24 and closing April 25.

“I’m looking forward to the dance show,” said Jazz ‘n Co secretary Demi Boggs who shares this mutual feeling

Ever wanted to know how to moonwalk? Well now you can with these few, simple dance steps.

1. It's better to have a pair of low grip shoes, but socks work just as well if not better for your first time learning. (It is preferred to do this on a polished floor).

2. Both feet must be close together: one foot on the floor the other slightly in front of the other.

Jen nifer nife Bedrosian [Jazz [Ja ‘n Co. Co teache teacher on maternity leave] students like Jazz ‘n Co dancer and junior Will Venturini said, “I think it’ll be the same, if not better.”

4. Repeat this process with each foot, back and forth.

5. Now you're moonwalking just like Michael Jackson himself. So 3. Using the foot in front, push off the grab you’re leather jacket and get to ball of the foot backward and drag the steppin’! other until it is slightly a good distance behind the other foot.

PRHS dancers perform with Class Act

Class Act team prepares for The Nutcracker

by Christina Weber, World Co-Editor Very delicate, light ballerinas filled the room wearing tutus and doll costumes as they pirouette and act out the classic story of The Nutcracker. The stage transforms into a magical land of dolls and toy soldiers.

The Class Act Dance and Performing Arts Studio is an award winning dance team in Paso and is currently working on their upcoming performance of The Nutcracker, produced by Cheryl Armstrong.

It takes only seconds for the graceful movements of the Class Act team to captivate the audience but every routine, every costume, every part that adds to the ambiance took

months to plan.

“Auditions were in September and we started working on it right after that.

We’ve been working on it nonstop since then,” said senior Cerra Cavalletto, who has been involved with Class Act for 13 years and has two roles in The Nutcracker.

Class Act Studio is a dance team that includes many students from PRHS. “Lots of people from Jazz n’ Co. are involved with Class Act,” said Cavalletto.

Sophomore Makinzie Smith, Sarah Manson and Alex Lambirth along with others are very involved in the production.

A detailed look at popular dance moves

by Torey Wise, Fun and Games Editor Modern dance encourages dancers to use their own emotions and moods to take hold of ttheir movements and put an absolute passion fforth in the routine they feel. In modern dance, tthere is no real strong structure but guide lines tthat you can follow when making your desired ddance. There are in fact though some basic dance moves that can help you start out your d own o masterpiece.

Curl C Up and Down Start with feet parallel facing the front with your arms at your side and focus your eyes downward. Curl your back over slowly, don’t collapse at the waist, when your half way to the floor bend your knees and continue to curl. When low enough start to curl out slowly while going back up with one section of your spine at a time.

SUPERSTARS: Jazz ‘n Co show their moves at the ‘08 homecoming half time.

The girls spend many weeks rehearsing this complicated dance routine.

Photo by Zach Burggraf

lef With five months left before the show and the th expected arrival oof

Step by Step: The Moonwalk

by Jessica Madrid, Health Editor

Modern Dance how to’s

Setting up for their performance of The Nutcracker on Dec. 4 -7 and 12-13, they’ve been especially busy lately.

“All the cast are working really hard and the show will be spectacular,” said junior Brittany Cecil, who was in Class Act for six years.

But all the hard work may be worth it for all the benefits of dancing.

“Dancing is a good way to meet people and stay in shape. Plus I love performing,” said Cavalletto.

Tickets for The Nutcracker are $20 for adults and $15 for children.

The Class Act Studio performs The Nutcracker every year and this is the eleventh show.

Tendu Start with feet parallel and point one forward and then pull it back into starting position. You can repeat this step with your feet pointing to the side and back.

Flat Back Start standing with back straight up and then while keeping back as perfectly straight as possible bend over horizontally. Once horizontal stick your arms out straight in front of you put your palms out. Once there, lift your torso vertical again with your arms in same position, in one fluent motion.

Just remember: you have no boundaries; make up your own moves with your feelings and passions. Don’t hold back.

November 12, 2008

9

India, put your money where your mouth is

With the economy rising in India malnutrition rates rise as well

by Taylor Szabo, Business team

I

ndia’s double growth; economy and malnutrition. While we debate on issues that range from global warming to the wardrobe of Sarah Palin, it’s hard to imagine that there are countries in our world where almost every other child is without the necessities of life, such as shelter, clothing, and food.

Surprisingly one of the countries with the highest rate of childhood famine is India. While India’s population has risen to a staggering 1,129,866,154, FAMISHED INFANT: Malnourshment 46 percent of the children fewer than has already effected this three year old three years of age are malnourished child. 46 percent of Indian children three (Reuters Feb. 2007). Astonishingly, and younger are malnourished. Photo Sub-Saharan Africa has a much lower Credit: NY Times malnutrition rate than India. Nutrition

levels in India are not so much related to lack of food, as is the case in many parts of Africa, but because of the frequency and quality of food intake of children.

The malnutrition rate in countries like Ethiopia are far better than India when you look at nutritional data, which is estimated at 35 percent (Reuters Feb. 2007).

“Contrary to what happens in Africa where there are much less resources at hand, India has a transportation network, India has a budget, India has a very strong potential to address these issues on time,” said Marzio Babille, UNICEF’s chief of health in India stated a news conference (alertnet.org) While we complain about the price

Teenagers starve to feed the hungry Atascadero church fasts for thirty hours

by Alicia Canales, In-depth Co-editor Stomachs from Atascadero First Assembly’s youth group growled intensely Friday, Oct. 17 12p.m, but the thirty-seven teenagers ignored the temptation to eat for the program, Thirty Hour Famine. Thirty Hour Famine is an organization created

by World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization serving the world, to raise money for people who do not have enough food.

“Our [World Vision] goal is for them [villagers] to be self sustaining and grow their own food and crops.

We want them to soon get away from the program,” said acting manager of Thirty Hour Famine, Pat Rhoads.

According to the Thirty Hour Famine website, 400 million people have died from hunger and sanitation problems in the past fifty years. More than 840 million people worldwide are malnourished while more than 153 million malnourished are under

the age of five. Of those toddlers, at least six million die every year from hunger, according to www.care.org.

Atascadero’s famine organizer, Kat Manildi, knew that world hunger needed to be made real for youth at her church. “Hunger is a big thing for me, and I wondered what I could do to help,” said Manildi.

A family member from southern California gave Manildi the idea after sharing her famine experience. Manildi felt like this was her chance to help once she realized World Vision distributes money, raised by famine teenagers, and supplies more than once to various countries.

During the thirty hours, the Atascadero group decided to help clean out the Food Pantry, a place that serves food to the homeless. They also slept in cardboard boxes outside of the church to experience what the majority of the world goes through.

Paso Robles’ Christian Life Center’s youth pastor, Guy Drummen, thought Manildi’s decision of doing the Thirty Hour Famine was a good idea.

“Any time we can go through what other people go through, we become more compassionate,” commented Drummon.

PRHS senior Vanessa Gil agrees with Drummon that the program is very beneficial.

“The whole thirty hour thing is really cool. You actually get to feel the cold and hunger. I’d do it actually just to see what it felt like. People need to appreciate what we have.” The next national famine will be held Feb. 27-28, 2009 and Apr. 24-25, 2009. However, a famine can be hold during any time.

To find out more information, visit www.30hourfamine.org.

A child can live another day with your help.

Current news from beyond our borders

by Tyler West,

Co-World Editor

England: With one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in Europe, the British government is bringing sex education to all schools, including kindergarten. This will place many children, from ages five to 16, in state funded schools to be educated about drug and sexual subjects in science classes.

Although some countries like France, China, and the Netherlands require sex education, and most countries introduce the idea of reproduction in middle school.

“It’s vital that this information doesn’t come from playground rumors or mixed messages from the media about sex,” said Schools Minister Jim Knight, reporting for the Associated Press.

Even though the United Kingdom is made up of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, they all have separate education standards.

Only Scotland makes sex education voluntary.

deepen and widen the existing canals and add a third set of locks, doubling shipping capacity by 2014.

The financing came from a mix of European, Asian, and Latin American banks. Panama’s economy is expected to double by 2025, and many new jobs, up to fifty thousand, will be added due to the canal’s expansion, according to Neworldrealtygroup.com

Kenya: Jerome Corsi, an American author of a book criticizing the president-elect Barack Obama, was shoved out of Kenya for not having a valid work permit.

The Neoconservative writer was in Kenya to launch his new book Obama Nation: Leftist Politics and the Cult of Personality, which says that Barak Obama is a Muslim and has suspicious connections to Kenyan Politics.

Corsi’s charges went over horribly in Kenya, where Obama is a national hero, and stands as the birthplace of his Panama: Despite the international father, Barack Obama, Sr. credit freeze and economic downturns, Italy: Italian police arrested 29 Panama won $2.3 billion in loans to suspected members of the Camorra, expand the vital Panama Canal.

The 50 mile long canal, connecting the mafia that controls drug trafficking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and key around the city of Naples, and seized to international trade, has been at full $140 million in assets.

The Italian officers raided homes capacity. The volume of freight had almost doubled since 2006, mostly due and businesses after six African China’s new demands for raw materials immigrants and an Italian were killed over an alleged drug dispute with the and export of finished goods.

The planned expansion would Camorra. Three murder suspects were

arrested.

“The war against the Camorra will continue until it is won,” said Italy’s Interior Minister Roberto Maroni, reporting for The Week.

The Camorra is Italy’s oldest mafia, dating back to the 15th century. Many of its members fled to the U.S. to form the Italian-American Mafia after a heavy crackdown in the 19th century.

Germany: Only a few non humans, such as chimps, dolphins, and elephants have been able to recognize themselves in a mirror.

Yet researchers in Germany say that European magpies, a bird, can now be added to the list of creatures with selfawareness.

Two magpies were marked with a dot that they ignored…until they were put in front of a mirror. Once the birds were in front of the mirror, they tried to remove it, showing that they acknowledged their reflection.

of gas or how expensive an iPhone is, children in other countries such as India struggle for even a grain of rice. The Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Rakesh Mohan announced that the Indian economy is likely to post nine percent sustained growth rate and cross the threshold of $1 trillion GDP by the next financial year. (Siliconindia staff writer. Sunday, February 25, 2007).

“Despite the excellent growth record for which India is getting greater and greater appreciation, efforts are still lacking and progress has been quite tardy in terms of women and children’s health and nutrition” said Shiv Kumar, a development economist and adviser to

the government. (STWR.org) During the recent presidential elections, we hear discussions on caring for the needy, ranging from socialized health care, to affordable college tuition. These issues may not be resolved through politics but the fact that they are being discussed within the United States could be a step in the right direction to resolve these issues.

This method of discussion, debating, and attempting to resolve problems should be taken in India where the public is finding out that malnutrition and a misuse of government funds is a matter of national priority and has brought shame to the government of India.

My experience: 30 hour famine Starving myself to feed others

by Aryn Fields, In-Depth Co-Editor I was starving, exhausted, dirty and worst of all, ir ritated.

It was the last hour of the famine and I had 29 hours to go, but for you to fully get why I was all these things we have to rewind the story.

On Friday Oct. 17 at 12 p.m., the 30 Hour Famine started, and by the end of school I had to go to meet up with the rest of my fellow faminers.

When I got to our famine base the advisor, Kat Manildi, was ready to tell us what the agenda was. She told us we were going to walk a mile or so for our water so we can “walk in the shoes” of those in poverty and those who have to walk everyday for there water. We made cardboard signs saying “Has a class mate ever passed out in class because they were so hungry?”

Once we walked the mile and back, we separated into two groups a girls group and a boys group; each group got about ten cardboard boxes to make our home for the night. Great, just great. Our shelter had a tendency to blow away, so after awhile we just put rocks on the ground and no roof… easier for the rain to get in I guess.

By now it was 8:30pm at night and more than eight hours since I last ate.

Plus with the walking and building, I was completely exhausted. And when I finally got in my sleeping bag and I peaceably went to sleep, except twice in the night when it rained.

We had to be at the Colonies Day Parade, we were scheduled to march in it to raise more awareness for world hunger. Once it was time for us to start walking it was 10am and surprisingly I was not hungry. That was soon to be changed; we started talking about

food and what sounded delicious, that is the definition of torture.

When the parade was coming to an end and it has been 24 hours since I last ate. Kat Manildi announced we were going to start the community service part of the famine. Half of us would go to Creston to volunteer at an alziemers and dementia elderly home and the other half was going to stay at the food pantry to clean it out and organize the food. I personally love old people and didn’t want to be surrounded by the food, so I volunteered to go to the elderly home.

Now I had gone 27 hours, and three more to go until I got to eat. This famine was a lot more than I thought it to be and I was happy I was a part of this change. It was the last hour of the famine I had 29 hours down and one to go. It was the longest hour in my life. And worst of all Kat Manildi put a cracker in my hand and told us to wait to eat it. Words can’t express the longing I had to eat that little insignificant cracker.

Finally the clock struck 6pm and the famine was officially over! We got in line to eat and the only I grabbed was two rolls of bread; the first roll I shoveled down in less than 30 seconds and the second I savored every little bite.

After the meal, I reflected on the famine and it was one of the best experiences of my life. If someone you know starts a 30 Hour Famine I suggest you be a part of it. You feel so blessed to know that here in America we can get food everyday and nice clothes to wear and best of all warm showers. But other countries don’t have any of that; in other countries 26,000 children die everyday. For me to experience a taste of what others in poverty go through is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The 30 Hour Famine is an international movement to fight poverty across the globe North Korea

Even in the best harvest years, North Korea cannot produce enough grain to feed its people.

Brazil

Despite recent economic advances, a vast economic inequalty still exists.

Bolivia

64 percent of Bolivians live in poverty, which makes it one of the poorest countries in Latin America.

Myanmar

Droughts, floods, and pests have put many areas of Myanmar in a food crisi s.

Zambia

Decades of political upheaval have led to a poor economy unable to lead the country out of poverty.

Ethiopia

Only 22 percent of Ethiopians have access to safe water

Lesotho

1 out of 16 children in Lesotho die before their first birthday.

Sri Lanka

Poor sanitation and drinking water have lead to a frequent casue of disease.

Source: 30hourfamine.org

10

November 12, 2008

Economic crisis helps environmental needs: cars, houses, emissions But the symbiotic relationship cannot last

by Kelsey Garman, Managing Editor The high gas prices that bring hair pulling, pullin nail biting punchi and wall punching agony are actually something to cel celebrate. While this economic ec crisis people has caused c so much pain, especially to esp ne new drivers w who can’t afford gas, it actually bbenefits the environment.

W hile fewer people are jumping behind the wheel of their new BMW, the lack of drivers will have a long term C02 emissions, benefit to lessen C which rose 1.6 percent iin 2007. Also, due to oil prices, people are no longer buying houses farther away from detriment in the the city, meaning a det 10.2 percent in housing industry of 10 National Association Sep. 2007. The Nationa predict a decrease of Home Builders predi building, but this of 30.2 percent of build

detriment means less use of our limited resources.

However, this positive effect may be balanced out by a negative: less money is given toward efficient energy projects. Sales of renewable energy have dropped from 14 percent to 12.7 percent in the last five years. While we are helping the environment with public transportation, the government it spending its money to stimulate the economy, and renewable energy investments are feeling the tightening of the belt, according to green-energynews.com.

The National Hydropower Association, Geothermal Energy Association, Solar Energy Industries Association and the American Wind Energy Association leading the environmental undertaking issued a joint statement urging the government to not drop the ball on renewable energy technologies.

“As leaders of four major renewable energy trade associations, we respectfully urge bipartisan Congressional Leadership and the President to work together to include renewable energy tax provisions in any economic stimulus legislation currently being developed,” said the NHA, GEA, SEIA and AWEA.

However, the environmental need also helps stimulate the economy. The “Think Globally, Act Locally” craze has been providing jobs all around the U.S., according to triplepundit.com, which

wear. The prices of gas began dropping due to the economic state, and more people can afford to feed their gas guzzling vehicles. This symbiotic

SMOG CHECK: Putting the “car” into “carbon emissions.” photo by Alicia Canales

is a website dedicated to responsible business in today's environmental and social challenges. Some innovative alternate energy projects will provide 13,000 new jobs.

Americans are off the couch and back at work. In 2007 thousands of jobs became available like electricians, plumbing, line working, roofing, engineering and high-paying manufacturing jobs. The economic backbone became ever stronger.

However, this trend is starting to

relationship can not last.

“The concept of alternative energy has a lot of momentum,” says Dan Pickering, head of research for Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Securities in Houston. “But lower oil prices make it harder to justify investment. At $50 a barrel, a lot of that investment will die.” (alternet.org) Most Americans are now just sitting, waiting and hoping that the new economic and environmental jointed bridge will not come crashing down.

photo by Alicia Canales

Paso makes plans to avoid a thirsty future The global water shortage escalates, and Paso is no exception

by Zoe Kingsbury & Melissa Serna, Center Co-editors The entire process of life as we know it depends on water. It’s the key element astronomers look to for life on other planets and the determinant of health in third-world countries. It makes up 75 percent of the human body and two-thirds of the Earth. There is no

substitute for water, and now there is a shortage of it.

Water is becoming a limited resource all over the world due to the constant rise in population, inefficiency in usage and pollution of usable water.

While already, one in five people do not

have access to safe drinking water, the water shortage is becoming more and more of a problem all over the globe.

“A combination of climate change and poor resource management is leading to water shortages in even the most developed countries,” [BBCnews. com, August, 2006]. Paso Robles has been experiencing this very problem increasingly in recent months.

Christopher Alakel, Water Resource Manager for the City of Paso Robles, elaborates on the causes of the local shortage.

“Paso Robles has been using groundwater as their only source of water for decades, but with increasing demands on our groundwater basin, the ground levels are dropping dangerously low.

Our community is growing, agriculture is growing, when the ground levels drop too low we are not able to produce as much water and the water quality decreases,” he said.

The drought has also been putting strain on the community’s water.

“In the past ground water storage has been recharged by precipitation, and when there’s no precipitation, the basins aren’t being replenished,” said Alakel.

The largest demands occur within the summer months, and this remains one of the biggest issues for the city.

“The city of Paso uses an average of about 250 gallons of water per person per day, and in the summer this number is much higher, demands triple,” said Alakel. “Where the majority of this is coming from is people irrigating their landscapes; about three fourths of our community’s water is used for irrigation. This is determined by the fact that only about 25 percent of the water being used makes it back to the water purification plant, meaning the other 75 percent is

The “Family Company” goes green SC Johnson is now eco-friendly

The water tank near Golden Hill Rd. photo by Kellie Kennan

being used outside the home, primarily for irrigation.”

The ramifications for Paso citizens could be drastic, especially since some of the water in these reservoirs are being used for emergency and fire storage.

“Health and safety are our biggest concerns,” said Alakel.

Of course, a decreasing supply of water will in turn lead to an increase in costs.

“What makes people conserve is shortages [since this makes the price go up]. You can tell people to conserve, but since water has been relatively cheap for a long time, there hasn’t been much incentive until now,” he said.

Paso joined the Lake Nacimiento pipeline project to solve the water shortage the city has been facing. The plan will be implemented in two main parts, one being the purchase of the water from Lake Nacimiento, and the second is the construction of a water treatment plant. Paso is on track to be receiving water from Lake Nacimiento by 2010.

Although originally, water prices would be raised from an average of $18 per month to $170 by 2010 with the Nacimiento project, a combination of backlash from residents as well as the recent plunge in the economy caused the city to scale back the project and reduce the prospective fees. We are now looking at an average monthly rate of about $48, as reported by Bruce Curtis, Paso Robles Magazine, Nov. 2008.

In the meantime, Alakel advises Paso citizens to do what they can to conserve the water we have available now.

“Conserve, conserve, conserve, outside the home first. Focus on how water is being used outside the home, that’s the first step,” he said.

by Torey Wise, Fun & Games Editor SC Johnson, “the family company,” has pledged to be as chemically safe and as eco friendly as they possibly can while still making credible products. Johnson & CO and other companies in the U.S have devoting time into creating a more eco friendly process to help make greener products and we have answers to some of these might seem very distorted elements and procedures.

Q: What are raw materials?

A: Raw materials are materials in a natural state, such as iron or coal. But some raw materials are potentially dangerous, set on a scale of 0-3, 0 being most harmful and 3 being the best.

Q: What is the greenlist?

A: The greenlist is the reflection of the companies’ commitment to being more earth friendly with their use of raw materials. Some of SC Johnson’s products require 0 rated materials, but the scientists have discovered ways to move around the use of these products by consciously reformulating the products with safer but still durable substitutes that are equal or higher than the other raw materials in the mixture. So they consumers have eco-responsible products with the same performance.

Q: How does this affect other companies?

A: SC Johnson did not only create better ways for their own products but also became partners with other companies to share their earth safe products to produce a chain of better products for the environment.

November 12, 2008 ‘MOCK’ Continued from m Page 1

‘PRESIDENT’Continued from Page 1 ...political isolation,” according to barrackobama.com.

Obama states that he has opposed the war in Iraq since the beginning, and plans on immediately taking action to bring troops home. Military experts state that we can redeploy combat brigades in 16 months. But he has dedicated most of his campaign to his strong point: the economy.

“Making Work Pay”, Obama’s and Biden’s planned tax cut for working families, would result in tax relief for 150 million workers.

It would average at $500 savings per worker, and $1,000 per working family.

They have ambitions to support college students as well. With the American Opportunity Tax Credit, they hope to provide $4,000 a year for college education, as long as students work 100 hours of community service during time of enrollment or over the summer.

Obama and Biden have more extensive plans, including reforming the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and making it easier for Americans to file their taxes.

Obama and Biden have big plans for the White House and don’t want to waste a second in office. With this historical victory, he also takes on the biggest financial and economic crisis in 70 years, and a war. America can expect drastic changes as Obama tries to heal national problems starting Jan. 20.

DEMOCRAT PARTY: The donkey and the elephant are from the mind of German-born political cartoonist Thomas Nast. Fist introduced in 1870, the donkey was a swipe at specific Democratic members, but it remains synonymous to the party.

In the famous cartoon titled “Third Term Panic” he illustrated the Democratic press as a donkey in lion’s skin, scaring the other animals.

With this Nast meant to portray the Democratic party as a ferocious predator but in reality they were actually foolish and harmless.

REPUBLICAN PARTY: The elephant, first shown appearing in 1864, represented the Republican party Thomas Nast idolized. Nast used the elephant to portray the whole Republican Party for the extremely controversial presidential election of Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tilden. The elephant at the foot of a Democrat Party’s tombstone showedviews for Hayes’ Republican victory as a damaging one. He was disenchanted the way Republicans were clumsily turning away from social liberalism, but he portrayed them as a large animal for their ability to symbolically crush their opponents.

compiled by Chynna Rowe

...4, and No on 8.

Sophomore Jenessa Hagen tallied the election results and computed the data for the results announced on Nov. 4, 12 hours before national results became clear. The vote counting procedure for the students was the same as the one used by the official counters at the polls, said Cooper.

The results showed that students did care about the nation’s election and want to have a voice in changes in the future.

“Obama [is winning] because Obama has greater support through out the nation and people tend to vote for who their parents do,” said sophomore Tom Arena, who predicted Obama would win as tallies were being finalized.

Proposition 8, “eliminating the right of same-sex couples to marry,” was another top issue among students.

Fifty-five percent of the students voted No, although the nation voted Yes with a 52 percent pass.

Proposition 4, was voted No by students with 58 percent of the vote.

Prop, 4 was one prop that was directly related with the student body since it deals with the “waiting period and parental notification before termination of minor’s pregnancy.”

Californians also voted No on this Prop. matching the student body.

Although the election has been officially decided with all the state and nation, students at PRHS still want a voice.

“I voted for Obama because his war and economic policies are good.

Obama also had a great campaign and he is good with the people, and the people

11

[who voted ed for him] want change…,” nge…,” said sophomore Madison Butz, visibly happy t h a t Oba ma Stan Cooper won the election- photo by Crimson Chronicle -twice.

Senior Danielle Martin agrees with Butz in her belief in Obama. “I think he has the potential concerning his policies in health care, helping the poor on taxes, and [ending] the war in Iraq.”

“I think a lot of youth are the driving force with civil rights, and most are in touch with people who have come out of the closet. I also think that a lot of the older generations are more fundamental Christians than the younger generations,” said Martin.

However, the supporters for McCain are outraged with the out come of both the student and national elections.

“It’s ridiculous [that Obama won student vote] cause they [the students] were uninformed and didn’t look at the issues--they watched T.V. and listened to what they heard,” said one student who wished to remain anonymous.

Another Republican student had similar feelings. “I think that [we lost] because of the disapproval with the current president and the policies that the administration has made,” said senior Chris Dana, president of the GOP Youth Commission.

P RHS t a n o o f o d f o i i s y t comin The jo g your way: this is the selec

Where’s My Iced Tea?!

PRHS students notice changes in school food menus

Foods: Given and taken away— what’s still around?

by Kellie Kennan, Enviroment Editor

by Brandon, Stegall Sports Co-editor California Senate bills have been implemented to regulate food, but PRHS students are beginning to wonder what foods will be left to regulate.

The effects being seen in schools today are the result of Governor Schwarzenegger’s amendments to the California Education Code in 2005.

Senate bill (SB) 12 limits the amount of non-nutritious foods that can be sold in grades K-12. SB 965 similarly sets standards for beverages sold in California Public Schools. A portion of beverages had to meet SB 965 criteria by the same date. All beverages sold to students must meet SB 965 criteria by July 1, 2009.

“We’ve had to change our menu due to state mandates. These tell us the only beverages we’re allowed to serve are 100 percent juice, 50 percent juice, water, milk, and isotonic drinks (Gatorade, Powerade, etc.). Foods may exceed by a few calories, but generally we want to follow these guidelines,” said Rod Blackner, head of the Food Services Department.

According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), as of 2007 California residents have gained 360 million pounds of excess weight in the past ten years, a rate that

is among the fastest in the country.

Some students are wondering why certain foods are being taken off their menus while other seemingly unhealthy foods on campus are being considered acceptable by school standards.

“They don’t have iced tea, Snickers, or Marathon bars, I’m annoyed that the pretzels seem like a rip off and that they are trying to be healthy by taking away snack foods, but they still sell greasy foods like the tacos at Taco Express which I can tell just by looking at them aren’t healthy at all,” said Sophomore Georgia Binkele.

Despite their appearance however, Blackner claims the foods at our school are consistently healthy: “Pizza has no fat in the crust, is made with low fat mozzarella cheese, and low fat pepperoni. Burritos at Taco Express are less than 35 percent calories from fat. Tacos give the appearance of being deep fried from being cooked in our ovens, but they also meet the standards set by SB 12.”

The issue in question among PRHS

Table by Gloria Rivera Drink/ Food

Calories

offered/ not offered

Powerade: Mountain Blast

100

offered

Powerade: Fruit Punch

100

offered

Vitamin: Essential Orange

50

offered

Minute Maid Lemonade

100

not offered

Nestea Sweet Lemon

150

not offered

Iced Tea

86

not offered

Corn Nuts: BBQ

180

offered

Baked Cheetos

130

offered

Frosted Blueberry Poptarts

230

offered

School Pack Gummy Bears

110

offered

PRETZELS: The salty Rold Gold pretzels was taken from PRHS and replaced with Snyders pretzels.

POWERADE: This fruity and empowering drink is offered here at PRHS; however no longer offered in vending machines.

Cartoon by Mathew Pridgeon

students students and faculty members is whether obesity issues the state is facing should affect what students are eating as a whole.

“You can bring healthy food into the school menu, but students should be able to choose what they eat for themselves… we should have a wider variety of foods at school; many options that would appeal to different tastes,” said Binkele.

Blackner argues that while nutrition is being pushed, he wants to maintain a variety of foods the student body can enjoy: “I believe in a wide variety of foods; that’s why we have seven different kiosks. If you want something like Quiznos we have sandwiches.

There’s also Taco Express for those who like Mexican food. We’re looking for a healthier product. We are always open to suggestions and we’re happy to look into serving food students are interested in having on their menu.”

As to why a smaller item such as iced tea was taken of the menu, Blackner had this to say: “Even though it is not a huge sugar item, iced tea was pulled out because it doesn’t fit the gist of what the bill mandates.”

Students have one more year before knowing all the changes that will be made to their school’s menu; it looks like the warm, sweet smells of morning cinammon rolls, the salty, the buttery, and other such foods will continue to slowly diminish at Paso Robles High School.

PINK LEMONADE: Summer’s refreshing drink has been taken away from PRHS students.

HOT CHEETOS: The firy goodness is still available. Let your taste buds simmer. Burn your mouth while you can.

ICED TEA: As seen above most PRHS students are mourning over the loss off Ice Tea, why did they have to take it away?

GUMMY BEARS: These colorful fun sized bears have been miraculously given to the PRHS students, lucky for you kids with a sweet tooth!

The Student Store: Jonny Rapp Hot Fries Cheez-it Snack Reduced Fat Cornnuts Baked Doritos Nacho Cheese Baked Lays Crisps Baked Ruffles Baked Cheetos Crunchy Hot Doritos Nacho Reduced Fat Doritos Cool Ranch Reduced Fat Cinnamon Toast Crunch Crisps Natural Valley Granola Bars Chex Mix in flavors Ice Breakers Berry Tins

Nutri-Grain bars Rice Krispie Treats Squares Frosted Strawberry Poptart Frosted Blueberry Poptart 100 Calorie packets Goldfish Powerades Dasani Water Vitamin Water: Power C Dragon Fruit Focus Kiwi Strawberry Revive Fruit Punch Fuze

12

November 12, 2008

Bearcats claw back in the pool Polo attempts rebound after losses to Nipomo and SLO

by Meaghan Sullivan,

Opinion Editor

Elbows fly, shots are fired, and suits are grabbed ― all while trying to keep afloat. With all these struggles combined in every game, the last thing the Bearcat boy’s water polo team needed was the nearly fatal plague of injury and illness.

After starting off by racking in big wins against non-league competitors Morro Bay and St. Joseph, fatigue began to set in during key league matches against Nipomo and SLO. With the season-ending injury of Dylan Grois, junior starting goalie, and Evan Norton, a team captain, combined with the ever-present threat of sickness, it’s been a season of struggle.

The battle wounds were suffered during nonessential games: Grois’s during a non-league game against Lompoc and Norton’s during a tournament.

“We had a sweet season of ups and downs. But overall, it was uber cool,” said Norton, who was out for two weeks with facial stitches.

But in the midst of all the conflict and setbacks, the team has managed to keep a positive attitude and have high hopes.

“With such a new team, it was hard to follow in the footsteps we

nine saves in the Bearcat’s first game against defending CIF champions Arroyo Grande and another nine in three quarters against Atascadero. This year’s team didn’t quite make the cut, finishing out of the top half in league and ending their CIF hopes.

While the season may not have ended like the team would have wished, there have been some triumphs and successes.

Coach Duane McRoy has high hopes for next year, with the return of Grois, Silva, and many other varsity players.

“We’re going to need 3-5 guys on JV to step up and be serious about developing their skills,” said McRoy. “They’ll need to work hard and SHOOTING FOR THE CAGE: Senior Neil Shapiro takes a shot for a goal in an afternoon practice. be committed; it’s a big Shapiro is guarded by senior Cameron Capps and backed up by two-year varsity veteran Dario jump from JV to varsity.”

Gut. photo by Meaghan Sullivan

made last year,” said Neil Shapiro, captain and the team’s leading scorer.

“But Spencer Silva really stepped it

up since we’ve been missing Dylan [Grois].”

Sophomore Spencer Silva tallied

What’s all the racket?

Varsity girls tennis finishes third in league, credits team morale photo by Jairo Loranca

by Jairo Loranca, Business Manager T h e varsity girl’s tennis team is whacking its way towards a seed in CIF. After a

strong season, the girl’s finished third in league with a record of 8-4, behind Arroyo Grande (10-2) and San Luis Obispo (12-0).

The team has proven their abilities in league and surpassed their own Angelica Shubbie expectations with a solid record.

“We had a really good season, we played strong, and got a solid third,” said coach Laura Clowes. “We did everything we sought out to do and more.”

The team’s record is an improvement from last year’s record (5-7). The team had a shot at second against AG, but lost after a tough game.

“If we [had won] against AG, then we [would have tied] for second place in league,” said senior Jessi Grant, three year varsity player and current team captain.

The next challenge for the players will be league finals, held on Nov. 6 and Nov. 7 to decide who will go to CIF for individuals and doubles.

“Our expectations aren’t too high on singles, so we are planning on stacking up our best players on doubles where we should do well,” said Clowes.

The team this year includes five varsity returnees, six players moved up from J.V, and one freshman player.

The younger players seem to be stepping up to contend with the other

teams. Leading the team in singles this year are Jessi Grant, A ngelica Shubbie, and Savannah Carlson.

“The girls have really come together,” said Clowes.

“They’ve realized that it takes the entire team to win a match, not just everyone relying on one player.”

“We’re a much more well rounded team WATER BREAK: Senior Jessi Grant and junior Jessica Shubbie this year,” said enjoy time together before dressing out for practice. The girls’ Grant. “...but coach feels that they have grown together as a team this year. photo CIF is a whole by Jairo Loranca new caliber. We think we are as well prepared as we have a good shot, as long as everyone can be.” can keep focus on what’s ahead. I

Girls golf is up to par Baldal, Bergin, and Levandusky make Second Team All-league

by C.J. Prusi, People Co-editor

photo by Ethan Baietti

As fall begins, the season for some sports is winding down. Among them lie girl golfers who have drove, chipped, and putted their way through.

With a dual match record of 4-4, the girls have shown endurance and workmanship, considering this year’s loss of the graduated Angela Ojeda and now injured Daniah Khan and Salome Jansen Van Rensberg (SP).

The girls went to finals on Thursday, October 30 which took place at Cypress Ridge golf course in Arroyo Grande.

“It was great, we worked hard all season so it was nice to see it all pay off in the end,” said golfer Kimberly Be rg i n , who placed Ashley Levandusky, Second Team All-league selection

second among her teammates in the finals. “We came in third out of the seven which I think was a good accomplishment for us. We are getting closer to being able to make it to CIF so hopefully if we keep it up it will be possible next year.” Ahead of the girls were Arroyo Grande who got second, and Righetti who won first. Both will EYE OF THE TIGER: Freshman Claire Baldal drives the ball down the course during a league tournament. Baldal was one be proceeding to of the three lady Bearcats to make second team all-league at CIF team finals. the finals. photo courtesy of Brenda Wiley Over the experience, but also as a team. “Last season, PRHS girl golfers have not only grown in year we didn’t hang out, but now we

hang out after practice and it’s really fun,” said sophomore Tori Sepulveda.

One of the frustrating things golfers face is skeptics who doubt the validity of golf being a real sport.

More than one person had something to say about this. “Before making judgements they need to try it,” said girls golf coach and P.E. teacher Dewey Stroud. “If it were easy, everyone would do it.”

“It’s very irritating [to hear] because golf is very hard and it takes a lot of practice,” said freshman golfer Claire Baldal, who scored first on her team in the finals, with 87. The par on the course was a 72.

Three girls made Second Team All-league at the finals. The three were freshman Claire Baldal, sophomore Kimberly Bergin, and freshman Ashley Levandusky.

compiled by Meaghan Sullivan, Opinion Editor

Andy Bridge senior, Varsity Football

“Our record is 7-1. We lost a lot of starting seniors last year, mostly on offense. We did have a lot of returning starters on defense, so that really helped. Our defense was pretty consistent the whole season.

We need to practice harder, work together, and be more consistent on both sides.

We’re going to go as far as we can in CIF. Finish!!

Show Me.”

Cameron Kerr senior, Cross Country

“We had a really good start and lots of improvements. We did have several injuries on our top five runners so we had lots of ups and downs. We’re league contenders for either 3rd or 4th place and we’re looking to make CIF. I improved a lot but I got hurt. Hopefully I’ll be healthy enough to compete in league. The faster we run, the sooner we’re done!”

Katie Farley sophomore, JV Tennis

“This is my second year playing tennis and I really enjoy it. My favorite part is being with all my teammates; we always have fun.

We’ve been lucky and haven’t had any serious injuries.

We placed 3rd in league and our biggest competition is SLO. Our strength is our resilience; we’re able to recover quickly and bounce back when we get down.”

Nicole Anderson senior, Varsity Volleyball

“We want to finish in the top four in league and make CIF. We did lose our main setter when she was injured so we had to fill her spot with less experienced players. We started off the season slow, broke down without Sadie [DeQuattro], and we picked it back up when she came back before the second round of league.”

Shauna Quaid junior, Varsity Cheerleading

“Cheerleading is really fun. I used to be a front spot but recently I’ve kind of become a flyer. In cheerleading, you have to work together and you have to have great teamwork or else someone could get seriously injured.”