Crimson Volume 74 | Issue 2 | 10.2.14 | Paso Robles High School
| Table of Contents
06 CHRIS WILLIAMS 08 VALERIE NEER 12 THE ABC’S OF ALS 21 THE MODERN GENERATION 24 CARMESÍ 33 EBOLA 36 FULL RIDE TO SJSU 02 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | Table of Contents
Photo by Maureen Pushea
Growing up: HARD—and completely necessary
Editorial |
Reality hits for today’s teens by Rachel Cole and Carly Cargill, Co-Editors-in-Chief
Beeping and clinging of cash registers remind us of responsibility, jobs, and making money. Of course, it also reminds of the hard work required to do these things. It brings to mind actor Ashton Kutcher’s convincing words at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards, a memorable speech that has been circulating on social media sites. We endorse his ideas that banging out a resume and dragging praise out of employers and mentors are part of getting the job; keeping the job is hard work, too. But viewing work as an opportunity creates a more positive outlook, and will move you into the future. “I believe that opportunity looks a lot like hard work. When I was thirteen, I had my first job with my dad carrying shingles up on a roof. I’ve never had a job in my life that I am better than. I was always just lucky to have a job. Every job I had was the stepping stone to my next job. And I never quit my job until I had the next job,” said Kutcher, who worked for a restaurant washing dishes, at a grocery store deli, and then at a factory where he swept Cheerio dust off the floor. Kutcher goes on to say that today’s generation wants to be famous just for the sake of being famous, not because they want to achieve anything that will give them that fame. The reality of the second generation, hand me down comfort generation, to Kutcher, is that teens believe that even the smallest of jobs are below them. Amen. The only thing below anyone is not having a job at all. Reaching for opportunities and always moving ahead in life is important, but only if you’re doing it the right way: being sexy. “The sexiest thing in the entire world is being really smart. And being thoughtful, and being generous. Everything else is crap; I promise you! It’s all crap that people try to sell to you to try to make you feel like less. Don’t buy it! Be smart, thoughtful, and generous,” Kutcher said. The world, media, and your peers will always try to tell you how to live
and what to do with your life, but you don’t have to let them control you. Be Kutcher’s “sexy,” not just sexy to the world, and above all, be yourself and honor what you do right. We encourage you to believe you will impact the world, even amid this hard work of high school. Kutcher is right. He said, “When you grow up, you tend to get told that the world is the way it is. And that your life is to live your life inside the world and to not get into too much trouble, and maybe get an education and make some money and have a family. Life can be a lot broader when you realize this one thing: everything around us that we call life, was made up by people that are no smarter than you, and you can build your own things and your own life that other people can live in,” said Kutcher. He recently re-learned this truth while working on the Steve Jobs movie. Just as Kutcher learned from Jobs, we can learn from Kutcher. Life doesn’t need to be about what others want, or what they expect from you, or even what you think will make others happy. If we can learn from others, we can be better versions of ourselves. If you live your life to be thoughtful, kind, smart, focused, and always reaching for opportunities, then you will be the you that you always wanted to be. You will be the you that can lead the world, or carry it on your shoulders.
“The sexiest thing in the entire world is being really smart. And being thoughtful, and being generous. Everything else is crap; I promise you!” —Ashton Kutcher
C
Co-Editors-in-Chief
Carly Cargill Center Rachel Cole Center Brandon Kearns Sci Tech Managing Editor Emily Ayer News/Web Copy Editor Amy Cantrell Photography Director Maureen Pushea Sports Web Team Matt Durian Brandt Goodman Nathan Rowley Sam Mabry
newsmagazine Editors Mae App Indepth Jessica Cole Indepth Tegan Curren Health Marlee Drake Food Brandt Goodman A&E Sadie Mae Mace Environment Michelle McPherson Feature Eden Peterson Feature Mayer Pohlod World Maureen Pushea Sports Stephen Preston Opinion Mila Robb-Hiteshew Fun & Games Matt Tyra Sports Lauren Wassam Fun & Games Social Media Manager Alysia Kilcrease
To watch Ashton Kutcher’s 2013 Teen Choice Awards Speech, scan this QR Code.
| Student Journalism | Paso Robles High School | 2014-2015
Photographers Dominique Rodriguez Nathan Rowley Grant Scheiffele Business Team Mariela Villa Carmesí Mae App Sadie Mae Mace
Adviser Jeff Mount Facebook www.facebook.com/ crimsonnewsmagazine Website www.crimsonweb.net
Circulation Managers Carly Cargill Rachel Cole
Email prhsjournalism@ pasoschools.org
Graphic Designers Nichole Landon
Instagram @crimsonnewsmag
Crimson, an open forum for the exchange of student ideas, is an independently funded newsmagazine of the journalism class at Paso Robles High School. Crimson reflects the majority opinion of the staff and does not necessarily reflect the views of Paso Robles High School, its faculty, administration, or students. All stories, graphics, typesetting, and layouts are completed by Paso Robles High School students. We are happy to talk with you further about our content, subscriptions in U.S. Mail, and advertising on our pages.
Editorial | 10.2.14 | crimsonweb.net |
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| News
Swearing into office
News Brief
Students accept newfound roles as class presidents by Alysia Kilcrease, Social Media Manager
As this school year begins, Paso High has a new group of class officers ready to take hold of their positions that they received by their fellow classmates voting for them. Sophomore Jake Van Wiggeren, junior Brandt Goodman, and senior Blair Orlando take on the role as sophomore, junior, and senior class presidents. Their goal is to make this year an amazing year for all Bearcats.
Jake Van Wiggeren, Sophomore Class President Wiggeren said he plans to do a lot of fundraising this year to help make Prom the best it can be. “I am very excited for what is going to happen this year and being an active part of the school,” said Wiggeren, who has been involved in student politics since elementary school. Wiggeren is involved in the Drama Club, Advanced Drama, and he is a tutor. He was a part of the student council even in elementary. Wiggeren is ecstatic about taking on his role as sophomore class president. He is excited to continue brainstorming ideas to help make high school an unforgettable experience.
Brandt Goodman, Junior Class President
UNDER CONSTRUCTION: The construction of the new gym is up and running. It should be finished by April of 2015.
The walls are up
Students and staff await PRHS new practice gym by Lauren Wassam, Fun and Games Co-Editor
Big, blocky, grey walls are up and the students are buzzing. Students learned of a new addition to their campus, a 4.2 million dollar practice gym, in April 2014. Five months later, the walls are up. The new facility will consist of a full size gymnasium, a large resistance weight training room and an aerobics-style lifestyle educational classroom. The news of the walls and the sound of the construction have spread across campus, also spreading some dissension about the new gym. While most students, particularly athletes, are elated about the addition to campus, some are not. “I believe that a new gym is not needed and the money that was used to pay for it could have been used for other necessities or benefitted other causes,” junior Jessica Bejar said. Some students have been unhappy with the allocation of funds; a possible alternative being a pool on campus. “It was never intended to be a pool; when the community passed the Measure T. bond in 2005, a pool was never in the mix, always a gymnasium,” principal Randy Nelson said. Other students question not just the worth but the deadline of the gym, as its April 2015 finalization date fast approaches, according to Nelson. Photos by Emily Ayer, Aly Kilcrease, Maureen Pushea
04 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | News
Goodman will use his intelligent manner and summer leadership experience from Camp Hapitok for his new role as acting president. Goodman is the sound designer and technical advisor for drama, a Crimson newsmagazine editor, and a Link Crew leader. “Camp Hapitok was important to me because it taught me a lot about responsibility and gave me an experience that I will never forget,” he said. Goodman was junior class vice president under president Alissa King. King was supposed to move to another school, so she had to resign her position. Leadership teachers Jennifer Bedrosian and Marcy Goodnow spoke with Goodman over the summer and asked him to move to president. King did return to Paso Robles this year so she took on the role as junior class vice president.
Blair Orlando, Senior Class President Orlando is part of the varsity cheer and softball team, and also Membership Chair for Leo’s Club and part of Crimson Crew. She volunteers at sporting events such as the Annual 5k races and city parades, helps at local fund raisers for businesses, works with Adopt a Street, and donates time at Loaves and Fishes. “I love being able to help lead our school and I am committed to making this year one to remember,” Orlando said. Her job is to organize Grad Night, Senior Week, and graduation, and her goal is to create a memorable senior year. Orlando said she is very enthusiastic about this year to come and she believes that being a Bearcat is more than just attending Paso Robles High School. “Being a Bearcat is doing all that I can do to benefit the staff and students of Paso Robles High School.”
College Night
SLO Community Foundation organizes annual college fair by Amy Cantrell, Copy Editor
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo will be putting on its third annual College Night at the San Luis Obispo Cuesta campus on Nov 3. “The purpose of the California College Nights is to provide interested persons a setting where information and guidance concerning California higher education opportunities can be shared,” said Angela Hollander, chair of the planning committee. College Night will provide a free opportunity for students to meet and ask questions to college representatives from 70 universities from across the nation. “The community response has been overwhelming and the last two years with over 650 students, their parents and counselors took advantage of meeting and conversing with 70 colleges and universities from throughout California and the nation, including top-ranked schools like Stanford, University of Southern California, Harvard and Vanderbilt,” Hollander said.
This will be the third year The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo is hosting College Night, after taking it over from Cuesta College in partnership with local school districts. Over 600 hours have been spent planning the event by 21 volunteers, professionals and community members from throughout the county. In addition to college representatives being on-site, the event is playing host to four workshops on various topics, such as how to write the perfect admissions essay. Workshops start at 5 pm and college representatives are available from 5:30 until the close of the event at 8 pm. Free bus services are available to students and parents through SLORTA with student ID. It is recommended to print a map of the site on www.cfsloco.org and plan the night accordingly. Visit the SLO Community Foundation’s website for more information, at www.cfsloco.org.
News |
Teal t-shirt cheerleaders PRHS starts Link Crew to welcome freshmen by Jessica Cole Indepth Co-Editor
Freshman orientation on August 19 offered more than the usual nervous ninth grade excitement and fears: waiting for 567 freshman, 81 link crew, dressed in teal to welcome, guide, and put a face on the high school. Each leader was paired up with another and then given a group of eight to 10 freshmen to lead throughout the school year. They meet during tutorial every Thursday, under the direction of Marcy Goodnow, Jennifer Bedrosian, Anthony Overton. And it seems to have a positive effect, “I think that Link Crew is a good idea to help people enjoy the campus more fully, and it kind of helps push people beyond that little phase of ‘What’s going on? Where am I? Where are my classes?’ And it kinds of pushes them beyond the original nervousness of high school so they can start to more fully enjoy high school,” said freshman Mason Hansen. Paso Robles high School enacted the Link Crew in 2014, but the Link Crew organization is also present in 549 school in 220 districts, for an average of 2.5 schools per district just in California. Link Crew is also in 44 states and 6 countries, including the United States and Canada, and in five schools in China, South Korea, Thailand, and United Arab Emirates in Saudi Arabia Link Crew is an international organization, created with the idea that freshman who have a positive experience their first year of high school have an overall higher level of success. It was founded by The Boomerang Project in 1992. “I know [it’s helpful], we have had so much evidence to support the fact that its working, beyond students I’ve had parents emailing me, parents calling, security, staff, all sorts of people, administration,
2.5 schools per district have a
Link Crew
everyone is super proud of the tone that’s been sort of set around here.” Goodnow said. And to some the importance makes the international venture personal. “I serve as a pretty good role model and I believe that people always need people to look up to for advice and go to for different questions in life. I joined Link Crew because I love meeting people and I’m great at communicating with pretty much anyone that I meet,” said senior Andrew Mungia, who joined Link crew to practice meeting and communicating with new people. Freshman Kaylee Terri agrees with him, “I think Link leaders help me reach out and meet other people. and help me get new friends and be friends with people who I wouldn’t be friends with, and really branch out.” And senior link crew leader Kara Bruce said, “I love it because I really have met so many people and learned so many leadership skills as well as teaching skills. Walking into this i had no idea what I was in for, I thought I’d meet a few freshman and now I realize that its much more, it’s strengthening one of the most important parts of our student body that will be here for the next 4 years. It feels really great to be a part of the legacy the class of 2018 will be leaving behind.” The Link Crew has planned numerous activities for the rest of the semester, including assigning Link Crew leaders to the few freshmen who could not make it to orientation, so that no freshmen is left behind.
218 44 districts
States have schools that are involved in Link Crew
in California are involved in
35%
Class sizes cause concern Teachers push back 35:1 by Stephen Preston, Opinion Editor
After six years of overstuffed classrooms, teachers and students have had enough. The Paso Robles Unified School District has lost millions of dollars in financial cuts since 2008 and reduction in teaching staff have cemented district policy to run class sizes at a maximum contractual size of 35 students per class per teacher. But teachers and students are challenging policy and requesting smaller class counts with the hope that “there’s new money in the district” according to AP and Honors teacher Steve Arnette. The PRPE union will meet and negotiate on September 12, with class schedules “...at the top of the agenda” according to Arnette, “We feel English is most impacted. We are averaging at the ninth grade and twelfth grade and 36 students in each class. We used to have 20:1 at the 9th grade level..[and had] a state program that help us deal with [it]” says Arnette. “...[O]ne of our teachers has 38 freshmen in one room...it’s not manageable…” A study at UC Davis found that children in small classrooms often scored higher on tests, especially if they were scoring highly before. Class sizes affect students at PRPS: 59 percent of 100 students surveyed said that excessive class sizes negatively impact their ability to learn and focus. “...its not efficient to expect that 35 in a class will be the best situation for all concerned… the teacher loses out, the students lose out…” AP Literature and Composition and Honors English teacher Aaron Cantrell said. “No conclusion was reached at [the union] meeting regarding class sizes,” Arnette reports.
Link crew
of students in schools with Link Crew are a part of it
News | 10.2.14 | crimsonweb.net |
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| News
News Brief
New superintendent Chris Williams
New superintendent in town Chris Williams takes the job of superintendent this year at Paso Robles by Grant Scheiffele, Reporter As Kathleen McNamara resigned from the Paso school board June 30, a daunting question was left to the rest of it: Who will take her place? As summer went by, the board found a seemingly capable candidate, Chris Williams. Being the new superintendent and a new citizen of our town, Williams went around and interviewed downtown store owners and citizens about different aspects of the town, the school, and all the current events and projects taking shape, whether it be how “football gets everything” or how the new gym is coming underway. Williams said that his goal is to have a “transparent relationship between the school and the community”, to better unify our town, and strengthen the community events that involve both Paso’s schools and the rest of the town. “Thirty four percent of our high school students are taking AP classes, which is a very high number. But I don’t think that message is going out to parents,” said Williams, who spent time in Fresno county increasing the number of students taking AP courses. The community doesn’t always see the positive influences of Paso schools as Williams does. “There’s a perception, in this community... that some students want to go to Templeton,” he said. The lack of clarity and communication between the school and community is driving those students from Paso, despite the benefits of the school. With this new information in mind, Dr. Chris Williams is striving to clean the lenses of the community that focus on our education. Williams began working in Paso September 2, beginning his career after transitioning from his time as an assistant superintendent in Fresno County. Before he was assistant superintendent, Williams also worked as a teacher, coach, vice principal, and principal in Fresno County.
06 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | News
New blood
Assistant Principal Erin Haley
Assistant Principal joins PRHS staff from Flamson Middle School by Amy Cantrell, Copy Editor
Haley had originally worked as a legal assistant to the City Attorney of Santa Barbara, but it only took a few years to find her true calling: young people. “After a few years I found my true passion in working with young people and was drawn to education. Nonetheless, that experience [in law] gave me a lot of training and insight into some of the challenges that we face in public education.” Erin Haley, assistant principal, has joined the PRHS staff from the same position at Flamson Middle School, joining 2 other assistant principals at PRHS. So far, Haley has been pleased with PRHS. “I am impressed with the dedication of our top-notch teaching staff and the activities/opportunities afforded to our students. One of the many intrinsic rewards of working in education and at a high school (specifically) is the opportunity to support young adults as they plan and pave the road for their future endeavors.” Before she was vice-principal at Flamson, Haley worked at Bauer Speck elementary school, and was Teacher of the Year during the 2011-2012 school year. Her co-workers had positive things to say about her. “She finds great satisfaction providing a safe, enjoyable environment as well as fun motivating opportunities for students at school. She believes her role as a teacher
expands beyond the classroom curriculum. Her positive attitude, student focus and hard work have been contagious and powerful. She has helped to inspire our staff and students to strive for a greater level of excellence.” While the two other assistant principals Tom Harrington and Dan Sharon focus primarily on athletics and discipline respectively, Haley’s priorities are scheduling, instructional models, and the classroom component of student needs. All three work together, but focus on different aspects of campus. She also tries to make herself as available as possible to students during school hours, and during lunch and nutrition. She is often found outside of rm 502. “I try to walk around campus (and through classrooms) because I enjoy the collaboration with students and I care about developing connections which give me some insight into personal experiences and educational/career goals. While many people call this a “job,” I call it a privilege and it is truly enjoyable and often entertaining.” said Mrs. Haley, who has been working in public education for seven years.
Photos by Lauren Wassam
UPCOMING EVENTS HOMECOMING PSAT SENIOR Dance begins Saturday Oct. 17 at PHOTOS at Flamson Oct. 18 at 7:00p.m. at War Memorial Stadium
from the end of football game to 11:30.
PRHS
Due Oct. 24 in Bearcat Hall rm. 114
COLLEGE NIGHT Monday Nov. 3 at Cuesta PAC
Casey Leigh in France
Feature |
Junior Casey Galli writes a blog about her semester in France by Casey Galli, Guest Writer
I
feel as if I have lived a lifetime since leaving Paso Robles just [26] days ago. When I think about how far I am from the Friday night lights watching the Bearcats dominate the field or acting my heart out in an audition for “A Christmas Carol,” it feels strange. Leaving PRHS was honestly very hard for me. The beginning of this journey was bittersweet, but I think, or I hope, that I am making my school proud. My journey started with a plane ride out of Oakland, CA and it has ended up here in Lugny, France. It was short in time, but very long in experiences. My first stop after Oakland (besides a short layover in Boston) was New York City. In New York, there was an orientation for 200 American students who were studying abroad in many different countries this fall. It was exciting to meet everyone and I made a lot of friends during the two days that we were there. On the fourth of Sept., we boarded our flights to which ever country we were headed to. In my case, the flight was to Paris! I, along with 50 other American students, found my seat on the huge aircraft and settled down for a nice six hour flight. Once we got there, we were on our own. It was hectic trying to find our luggage, hopping aboard the tram, and finally going through customs and meeting the incredible AFS France volunteers. In Paris, teenagers from all over the world were arriving at our orientation site country by country. As each group arrived, we greeted them with cheers of “It’s the Italians!” or “Look, the Brazilians!” We were assigned roommates from all different countries who would live in the same area as us in France. When everyone had arrived, there were 288 students of all different nationalities anxiously awaiting their trains to their host families! This orientation was helpful, exciting, and eyeopening. Getting to know people of all different
To finish Casey’s story, scan the QR code to go to her blog http:// caseyleighinfrance.blogspot.fr/
races and cultures gave me a new sense of empathy and a more global outlook on life. We toured Paris on my sixteenth birthday, and YES it was the most incredible birthday I have ever had. The most interesting part of this orientation, in my opinion, was the fact that we were connecting. Teens from 50 different countries had the same ideas, fears, humor, etc. It was truly life changing and it had a bitter-sweet ending. We were all excited to meet our host families, jet-lagged to death, and sad to leave our new friends so soon. As we boarded our separate trains, numbers were exchanged, hugs were given, and faces lit up with excitement and nervousness. My train was headed to Dijon with twelve exchange students aboard. This train was… difficult to board. Just imagine twelve teenagers with very little French language skills carrying three suitcases aboard a train which was already crowded. Difficult to say the least, but an experience that I can say I got through without too much stress. Arriving in Dijon, our hearts were beating faster and faster as the train pulled into the station. Our nerves were quickly whisked away by the bright smiles of our host families and the AFS volunteers. Everyone was excited to meet us and we all headed to lunch where my host family presented a birthday cake and gift to me. I felt welcomed at once and could not wait to get to my new home in Lugny! Lugny is the cutest little town, the epitome of [France] with stone buildings, narrow streets and a bakery just steps from your door. My life here is simple which I very much enjoy. There have been some exhilarating moments on my journey so far such as hearing hundreds of teenagers from all corners of the globe sing happy birthday to me under the Eiffel tower or being mobbed and interrogated on the first day of school. Those were some amazing moments, but my favorite moments are the little ones. The quiet hike up the mountain near my house with views to die for, the gathering of my French family around the bread and cheese covered dinner table, and the flashes of light that come through the skylight in my room from the lightening storms. These have been my favorite so far... Cobble stone streets and three-course dinners and I just wish that I could send a care package bursting full with every scent, taste, touch, sound and every sight I have seen to my loved ones because I have no words to describe the joy they have brought me. When I made the decision to study abroad, I did not fully understand the gifts it would give me. Ten days. In just ten days, I have been filled with this culture and I love every bit of it. I have also learned a few lessons...
GALLI EMBRACES FRANCE WITH OPEN ARMS: Galli poses in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Photo used with permission by Casey Galli.
Feature | 10.2.14 | crimsonweb.net |
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| Feature
WALKING WITH THE MASSES: The streets are crowded as Neer travels down Shibuya Crossing.
TAKING IN THE CULTURE: Neer walks along a path in Asakusa, a cultural center in Tokyo. Photos used with permission by Valerie Neer
VISITING THE SHRINES: Neer visits a shrine in Nara.
American made, Japan bound Junior Valerie Neer’s trip to Japan defined a vision by Eden Peterson Feature Co-Editor
J
unior Valerie Neer felt prepared as her 11 hour flight drew to an end and her plane touched down on July 31, in the Haneda International Airport in Tokyo. The hundreds of youtube videos, 1095 days of studying Japanese language, and three years of dreaming had all culminated to that very moment. Valerie had finally set foot in Japan. For Valerie, her trip to Japan was more than an exotic vacation. For her, it was a chance to test the waters in the place she had been hoping to visit for three years, the place she plans to go to college, the place she’s planning on moving to indefinitely in 18 months. There are about 49, 815 Americans living in Japan which comprises around 2.4 percent of Japan’s total population of 127, 253, 075 citizens according to Japan’s Ministry of Justice. Japan is the third largest economy in the world and continues to innovate in the way of medicine, manufacturing, and technology. Japan plays a big role globally as it is contributes the second most to the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund. Valerie’s first trip out of the country was approximately 5,311 miles from home, in a district of Tokyo called Roppongi, which has a significantly less dense population than other regions of Tokyo like Shibuya which has a population of 208, 371 in the small 5.834 square mile region. “[Roppongi] was significantly less busy than other parts of Tokyo we went to like Shibuya, Harajuku, or Ikebukuro where there were honestly thousands of people walking on all sides of you at all times. The amount of people living in Tokyo is really hard to adjust to when you come from somewhere like Paso Robles” Neer said. While in Shibuya, Neer met up with her friend Futaba Imai for an early dinner at a restaurant called Royal Host. Futaba introduced Valerie to her friend Ayaka, and they all caught up for an hour before Futaba had to leave for Juku, an extra class to improve her English. “It was unbelievable [to see Valerie] because I met one of my friends from Paso in JAPAN! When she talks about Japan her eyes [start] to shine,” said Imai, a foreign exchange student who came to PRHS last year from Japan. After visiting different regions of Tokyo, Valerie also visited a more rural area of Japan called Nara. Nara is a cultural center that is home to many breathtaking Buddhist temples and shrines and is about six hours away from Tokyo by bus.
“[Nara] is more rural, and the streets are overrun by deer. The atmosphere was so different from Tokyo there... The main Temples in Nara are Shinto and Buddhist shrines and they’re absolutely stunning. We visited Daibutsu Todaiji Temple, which is where they keep the largest statue of the Buddha in the world, and I will never forget just how gorgeous the entire building was” Neer said. Her last stop was a city called Chiba on the Tokyo Bay. Unfortunately, she was not able to fulfill her plans of visiting a few college campuses while she was there, as she fell ill to a Japanese stomach virus for the last couple days of her trip. Despite the setbacks, Valerie’s trip was still able to fulfill a vision for her. Having been dreaming of living in Japan since she was 13 years, this trip was an opportunity for her to test the waters and see if her dreams had really been what she wanted after all. “Seeing the culture and being part of the daily grind has definitely made me want to be there a lot more. Going abroad and seeing what it was like to be in Japan on a daily basis has made me about 300% more motivated in studying the language and culture and I’m already counting the days until I can go back” Neer said. While Neer’s true passion for Japanese culture arose about three years ago when she decided she wanted to live in Japan and began learning to speak, read, and write Japanese, Neer can’t exactly pinpoint why and how her fascination with Japan came about. “When I was in middle school, my friends introduced me to J-Pop and anime, and I went through phase where that was literally the only thing I did with my life. I regret that part of my life at this point in time. Obviously, that interest shifted to actual culture, but I really don’t know when [I became interested in Japanese culture]. Maybe I just woke up liking Japanese culture one day. I think it was really just a progressive thing, and I slowly got more interested and more interested until my entire life seemed to revolve around it” Neer said. It’s Neer’s last year before she graduates as she will have met all her credits to graduate and fulfilled all the requirements to be accepted to most Japanese universities. Valerie is looking in to a few different colleges such as Waseda, Reitaku, and Takushoku, but is leaning toward a university called Mekai that is conveniently located on the Tokyo Bay and is right next to Tokyo Disneyland. She is planning on majoring in international relations.
“Going abroad and seeing what it was like to be in Japan on a daily basis has made me about 300 percent more motivated in studying the language and culture, and I’m already counting the days until I can go back.” —Valerie Neer, 11
08 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | Feature
VISITING THE TEMPLES: Valerie visits the Daibutsu Todaiji Temple in Nara. POSING IN THE GARDEN: Neer poses for a quick photo beside a creek at a garden in Minato, Roppongi.
Photo by Lauren Wassam
NEW SUPERINTENDENT TAKES CHARGE
ON THE JOB (above): Chris Williams smiles for his first year with the PRJUSD. He plans on taking quick action to benefit the school district, teachers, and students.
Feature | Chris Williams plans to lead PRSD into the age of students by Rachel Cole, Co-Editor-in-Chief
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ew superintendent Chris Williams, an award winning former assistant superintendent and a father of two, has already started to head up the Paso Robles School District. Williams comes qualified with five years as a Fresno Schools administrator, eight years as an assistant superintendent, and he also brings a fresh perspective to the table. Williams was chosen by members of the school board assisted by 20 community members. The group included union chosen school employees, past and current teachers, and prominent members of the business community “I volunteered to be part of the search for and hiring process of the new superintendent because we needed a leader that had the professional acumen to understand, respond to and transform what’s been years of disastrous financial management, disingenuous communication, and the heartbreaking neglect of so many of the outstanding programs offered at district schools by teachers and supported by parents. I believe, hope and pray that Chris has the vision to restore Paso Robles Public Schools to the previous stature it once held within San Luis Obispo County,” said Susan Young, a Virginia Peterson second grade teacher who has worked in this district for 28 years . He is replacing both permanent Kathleen McNamara, who had been superintendent for seven years and retired at the end of the most recent school year according to sanluisobispo.com, and temporary superintendent Jim Brescia, who had been the leader of the district for only three months as he waited for the new permanent replacement to be chosen. While Brescia, who sparked enough confidence to be named the County Superintendent starting in January, the previous leader, McNamara presided over a time of and unrest in the district. With the past furlough days, as many as 12 in the 2012-2013 school year, a vote of no-confidence, and an eventual early retirement, she was in charge during some changes that many people found concerning. “What I always do is I put the kids back in the center of the table. I try to bring the focus back to ‘How is this going to be the best for the kids in Paso Unified?’ Sometimes when you’re dealing with different people, they may have different stakes in something, but in reality, education is about providing [the students] with the best educational opportunities possible,” said Williams, who has also served as a math and physical education teacher and football coach after his All-State success as a player at Fresno State Univ. Williams’ arrival at PRPS has been characterized by student connection and trust building He traveled to Clovis on Sept. 29 to watch the first Bearcat football game. At the game he chatted with cheerleaders, and Senior Class President, Blair Orlando, at times in great
depth. “He said that he wanted to have a monthly meeting with a few students including myself and the ASB President, Amy Cantrell, that represents the school in any way from athletes to club members. Amy and I have been talking to a few people to be a part of this and to help make our campus better with the help of Superintendent Williams,” said Orlando, who is also currently a member of Link Crew. The Paso community has heard the superintendent’s message, as have the teachers at PRHS. Leadership/Drama teacher Marcy Goodnow, one of the leaders of the Link Crew Program, shares this common goal to make the school a better place and keep the focus on the students and their opportunities, and to spread this knowledge to the community. “That has been our goal for the last 4 years and I think we have really started to get people to think a different way. The students at this school want to show the community how amazing they are every chance they get!!” Goodnow said. Student leaders such as Orlando also feel that the superintendent has the right goals in mind. “He has shared his goals of connecting with the students with me and he seems very dedicated to creating a relationship with the students, compared to the past [superintendent],” Orlando said. With a firm handshake and a large smile, Williams gathered around 50 teachers in room 503 for a meet-andgreet with refreshments on Tuesday, Sept 9. With all the school administrators on hand he introduced himself to the teachers and other members of staff, beginning his term here with a pattern of communication. This pattern of communication includes the school administrations and vice principal of discipline Dan Sharon agrees with the superintendent’s goals. “I’m always happy to have opportunities to ensure community perception mirrors the reality of our campus culture and climate. Paso Robles High School is an exemplary learning institution. Student achievement inside and outside the classroom, post-secondary success, and the numbers of graduates who make a positive impact on our local community and communities around the world are a testament to Bearcats making a difference,”. The former assistant superintendent who was nominated and won the negotiator of the year award, who pulled through to get the Fresno school district 16,000 tablets to become a “One-to-One Tech Initiative” school district, and who assisted his district in decreasing dropout rates, suspension rates and expulsion rates, which increased the number of graduates to a record high, brings a new perspective and feel to the district office. “I bring the focus back on the students,” Williams said.
“I bring the focus back on the students.” —Chris Willams, Superintendent
Feature | 10.2.14 | crimsonweb.net |
09
| Opinion
You’re a number on paper The school administration and you by Stephen Preston, Opinion Editor In a flurry of paperwork, student IDs, and hard budgeting, do district and school administrators lose their connection to their alleged true purpose: education? It’s no secret that an ancient bond exists between teacher and student, it is a theme that has reverberated throughout the ages. And by all indicators, PRHS teachers are getting this bond right, in fact, 61 percent of surveyed students feel that their teachers truly care about them. But what of the upper echelon of the high school environment? While they handle our schedules, supervise and control our events, and direct our caring teachers, do administrators and counselors care for us as students? Are we numbers on their computer screen? Statistics show that only 43 percent of students feel the school’s administration cares about the students needs and wants. 47 percent of students don’t feel the school district shows interest in the student’s well being and day-today classes, and 42 percent of the same students surveyed are unaware of the school district’s role in their education. These numbers might raise concern, but the causes of these statistics are what really goes on at the administrative and district levels. As schedules are changed, and requests sometimes not honored, does the administration care for student needs? As Principal Randy Nelson and the three counselors try to balance class size, teachers’ contracts and students’ requests, discrepancies occur in schedules. Many teachers wish that the communication between students and administration, and visaversa, could be more efficient. “I wish there were a forum where the principal could say ‘okay, these are my concerns’…” and the other stakeholders
10 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | Opinion
could talk things over,” comments AP and Honors English teacher Aaron Cantrell, the English department chair, has been exposed to “a lot more to think about” when it comes to how the administration must handle students. He realizes “there’s a whole school out there” and has seen the school’s administration has a multitude of factors to consider when dealing with students’ schedules. Many teachers, in addition, feel that students as well as
“I feel that the district office allocates money and funding to programs they prioritize… I feel we aren’t even on their radar screen as far as priority…” —Steve Arnette, English teachers are not the top concern of the district administration and above “I feel that the district office allocates money and funding to programs they prioritize…I feel we aren’t even on their radar screen as far as priority…” claims Honors and AP English teacher, Steve Arnette. In contrast, Principal Randy Nelson takes “great pride that [the school] has been able to maintain [its] programs...over the last 5 years given all the challenges…” and even with the
addition programs directly designed to benefit students such as Link Crew and Crimson Crew. Nelson cites that “[the school] had students last year who wanted a Calculus BC class… there was only 7 or 8 kids, but we...went to the school board, who recognized the importance of a BC class...the school district is paying for a class that only has 7 or 8 students”. Conveniently enough, during his interview Nelson even approved a $2,000 plan to upgrade the 800 and 900 buildings with mounted video screens to interface with the classrooms’ Apple TV’s. New superintendent Chris Williams has also stated in an exclusive meeting with Crimson that he plans on gearing the school district’s interests more akin to the students’. There are many factors to consider when asking if the school’s administration and the school district cares about students. As Cantrell describes it, this issue can be seen as a “rubix cube”. Getting all sides of the issue satisfied is very difficult, and without collaboration the administration usually end up only being able to fully satisfy a single side. When principal Randy Nelson was asked how he would respond to a student claiming the school did not care about them, he openly said, “[to] come see [him], come to the office with any problem, within reason, and we can find a solution to your issue”. So does PRHS care about it students? It’s getting there, and its very close.
Opinion |
SAT
Does the test matter to colleges?
by Jessica Cole, Indepth Co-Editor and Marlee Drake, Food Editor
Smart Stigma Just answer the question, and stop texting in class by Emily Ayer, Managing Editor
Photo by Stephen Preston
I’m thinking of the girl who knew the answer last week to sin30. And Samantha’s impressive explanation of symbolism in AP English. For me personally, I was the one who knew that hemoglobin carries oxygen. These are the times when I hear the half-whispers across the room and the snickers, “geez somebody tries way too hard,” and the mocking tone can be traced back to the mouths of people who either don’t care enough to try, or care too much about their appearance to look like they care. Because apparently our generation thinks that if you are smart, you are automatically a loser, or that if you do in fact know that Jamestown was founded in 1607, you’re an outcast. According to Carnegie Mellon University, behavior such as tardiness, disregard for deadlines, and side conversations all correlate to other students feeling disrespected and unmotivated to learn because of the environment created. The idea that being intelligent is with being lame is a problem I see on a daily basis, one that can only be described as lack of appreciation. If we are given a free education system, why do we turn it down in favor of looking “cool”? We are not too good for it and if we keep treating this opportunity to further our knowledge as something we automatically deserve, it may slip from our fingers. According to the High School Dropout Statistics, 3,030,000 students drop out from school. The number of people that drop out daily is 8,300. That is nearly four times the amount of people that go to our high school. Now don’t worry, there aren’t any sanctions about
to take away the public education system from those who refuse to try. What I’m talking about is a few years down the road, college. That isn’t free, and if you plan on furthering your education, you’d better step up to the plate and get smart because I guarantee that if you put on your college applications “received a D because I was worried I would look brainy and not laid-back all of semester one,” admissions offices will not be thrilled. I’m not the only one who agrees that disregard for education is not helpful to the individual. “Other than grades, I don’t think it affects the school. It might make some parents mad that their kids are falling behind in school though,” said sophomore Jacob Bausch who believes that acting dumb doesn’t not significantly affect the school, but it can cause low test scores and grades, which then impacts the school overall. Our society is given the advantage of a free education system and a group of educators whose sole purpose is to make us the best and most prepared we can be for what is coming. If you are too worried about wanting to appear “trendy” or “legit,” you will be in for a rude awakening when college is shoved at you and it’s necessary to nerdout in order to pass Biology 123 or English 132. So the next time you want to quite obviously send a text to your friend about how your lab partner is trying way too hard, think about how maybe, just maybe your lab partner is preparing himself/herself and you’re the one not trying hard enough.
“If we are given a free education system, why do we turn it down in favor of looking ‘cool’?” —Emily Ayer, 11
The SAT or Scholarship Aptitude Test, was invented as a tool to help colleges get to know students better. The test consists of three parts, reading, writing, and math, for a total of 225 minutes and 2400 points. It is taken by an average of 1,664,400 students a year. But many disregard the test as an infinitesimal part of the college admissions process. However colleges can’t help but take it into consideration in today’s hyper overachiever society. The number of SAT tests taken in the past 25 years has gone up 66%, from 1,000,700 to 1,664,000 (according to New York Times), and the number of students getting into college has gone up 15% in the last 31 years. Even if some students aren’t reading the facts, counselor Michael Moore clearly is, “For your college bound students, it’s imperative, that they take it. It’s part of the entrance requirements. Either the SAT or ACT is a requirement to be accepted. Sometimes the student will take a test, just to see how they compare to other college bound students, just to take the test, but that number is very small.” said Moore. And Jim Steaffens has personal experience. “An SAT test, which is actually designed to predict how successful you will be in college is another way to look at a student to find out what type of problem solving skills they have, can they apply stuff that they’ve learned in high school in other situations. So it actually gives that university an idea as to what that type of student is, apart from their grades. but more like how they think and and what are they capable of doing with the information that they have.” The SAT is on October 11, and the test scores will arrive in early December, but the SAT is offered six times throughout the next year.
SCHOOLS ON AVERAGE SPEND
$7,905 ON THE SAT
THE COLLEGE BOARD RECEIVES
$65.6 million
IN REVENUE FROM THE
SAT
Opinion | 10.2.14 | crimsonweb.net |
11
| InDepth
The A B C s of ALS Looking at the Ice Bucket Challenge and the disease that created it by Matt Tyra, Sports Co-Editor and Dominique Rodriguez, Reporter
E
ver since the middle of July, it’s been nearly impossible to avoid it; whether through a video or a picture or just a status update, odds are that if you’ve visited social media much over the past two months you’ve heard of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. As is often the case with social media phenomenons, though, many people don’t seem to know what’s going on with the challenge that took the Internet by storm. ALS, which stands for amyotroph i c l a t e r a l sclerosis and is more commonly k n o w n as Lou G e h r i g ’s disease, is a condition t h a t targets n e r ve c e l l s in the brain a n d spinal cord; this
leaves those afflicted with less and less daily life shows why the attention is muscle control until they are eventually deserved; she wakes up at seven and paralyzed. The disease is often fatal, as it immediately takes her meds, which usually leads to death within 2-5 years of take two hours to take effect. Once the diagnosis (per alsa.org). effect kicks in, she gets up at nine, takes First discovered in 1869 by Jean- more medicine and is finally able to eat, Martin Charcot, a French neurologist, though her diet is mostly soft foods that ALS largely went unnoticed until 1939, are easy to chew. when Hall of Fame New York Yankees After breakfast, she’s taken to baseball star Lou Gehrig was diagnosed physical therapy, where she has her with the disease. The diagnosis ended joints stretched out to prevent them from Gehrig’s career, and, two years later, his tightening up as she sleeps. She then life, at the age of 38. eats lunch, and then has one of the most Though this brought immediate enjoyable parts of her day: her trip to the publicity and attention to the disease, salon. ALS went back under the radar. The “My hair is very valuable. It keeps sudden popularity of the Ice Bucket me going and looking young,” said Erica, Challenge has returned it to the spotlight; who has had ALS for 7 years. in a month’s span from July 19 to August To keep from being bored, Erica 18, the ALS Association received $15.6 watches Ellen all day, and estimates that million in donations, compared to $1.5 she calls her husband 10 times a day. million over the same span last year, Understandably, then, the Ice Bucket according to alsa.org. Clearly, public Challenge offers an exciting event to awareness is at an all-time high, which is follow, and a sign of progress and hope. amazing given the challenge’s roots. “Every time I look on the ALS As reported by Time Magazine, website the donations grow more golfer Chris Kennedy was nominated by and more, and it’s great to see kids one of his friends to do an “Ice Bucket participation in charities. It feels good Challenge”, in which the idea was to to have the spotlight and for people to complete the challenge within 24 hours know what’s going on,” Erica said. or donate $100 dollars to any charity, though completing the event still implied a $10 donation. Kennedy designated his charity as the ALS Association, and as his July 15 video went viral, so too did the 89% cause behind it. of students “I was shocked when I checked didn’t my facebook and saw the hashtag and all donate of the videos because it’s an everyday habit telling people what ALS is,” said Erica, an o 64%ents do f stu anonymous Paso d n d u t e tru ’t k den of s en call e d no ts Robles citizen e b efi w t e 3 e 2 % h v t a nit he h affected by ALS. for e of students t u ion o g n e l E r i c a ’s accepted l of a h c the
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12 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | InDepth
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InDepth |
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ALS, which stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and is more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative condition that targets nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It was first discovered in 1869 by Jean-Martin Charcot, a French neurologist. ALS largely went unnoticed until 1939, when Hall of Fame New York Yankees baseball star Lou Gehrig was diagnosed with the disease.
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InDepth | 10.2.14 | crimsonweb.net |
13
| Sci-Tech
The war for the web Internet service is quickly becoming more about your provider and less about the Internet
by Brandon Kearns, Co-Editor-In-Chief
W
e slam the door, drop our bag, sigh as we sit after a long day, and reach for the remote. For many, that remote takes them to their TV service, and for many others it takes them to Netflix. Now imagine you’re unsure of whether Netflix will be available that day, for all you may see is a loading icon and a message reading “Sorry, our ISP has slowed our connection so loading times may be longer than normal.” It won’t be very long until we are stuck with an Internet ruled by politics and corporations, an Internet devoid of that personality so many appreciate today. Net Neutrality was coined in 2003 as a term to encapsulate the idea that all data on the Internet, whether the millions of dollars worth of purchases or the local restaurant website, was equal. “Net Neutrality is the Internet’s guiding principle: It preserves our right to communicate freely online. This is the definition of an open Internet,” Savetheinternet. com From then on it stood as the code for websites and businesses when operating on the Internet, yet in less than five years after the term was coined ISP’s were already fighting against the code. In 2008 Comcast denied allegations that they had been blocking traffic to Bittorrent, a system used to share data between two Internet users, claiming to only “delay” traffic to the site. The Federal Communications
20
02
2002: FCC designates cable and DSL internet differently for regulatory purposes.
Commission, the FCC, finally stepped in after multiple calls to action and eventually ruled that Comcast was not allowed to discriminate against any web services. From there the road quickly began to disintegrate for proponents of Net Neutrality as Comcast appealed the ruling and went before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. The court eventually ruled that the FCC had overstepped their jurisdiction, which had been decided
“Without that ease of access and unfettered growth, these companies will likely struggle, and hire fewer new employees, potentially stunting U.S. job growth.” —Dailyfinance.com by a series of political acts in the 1990s which stated that internet service was an “information service” not a “telecommunications service”. The distinction effectively eliminated the FCC’s ability to regulate an ISP’s power over web services, something that had been overlooked up until Comcast’s appeal. After, the FCC attempted to implement a new set of rules, the Open Internet Order, in an attempt to restore Net Neutrality. Again the court over ruled the FCC’s order, stating again that the FCC did not have power
2005: FCC deregulates DSL internet, removing any remaining consumer protection.
History of Net Neutrality 14 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | Sci-Tech
unless they reclassified Broadband Internet. So what now? The FCC is essentially has their hands tied as they look for a new way to govern the Internet. While they looked for new avenues, their proposed Open Internet Order of 2010 still half applies to ISPs. They are required to remain transparent in how they govern their consumers, but the FCC cannot tell them to stop discriminating against web traffic. “So yes, it’s a step forward – but hardly more than an incremental step beyond the Internet Policy Statement adopted by the previous Republican FCC. After such an enormous build up and tumultuous process, it is unsurprising that supporters of an open Internet are bitterly disappointed -- particularly given the uncertainty over how the rules will be enforced,” Publicknowledge.org explaining the Open Internet Order’s effect. All of this seems preposterous and like something you would see in a Facebook hoax. Many people will choose to ignore this because it sounds like it won’t affect them. If Net Neutrality ends consumers will definitely feel the impact, but the worst of the damage may be done to internet businesses. Small companies will be unable to compete on the growing market because they won’t have the cash to support communications with their customers, according to Dailyfinance.com. That may seem like a small problem and some may
2008: FCC invesigates Comcasts treatment of Bittorrent data. 20
08
Sci-Tech | rejoice that business will return to face to face interactions, but much of our lives rely on this semiequal competition. If Myspace had been able to close out their competitors then Facebook, one of the major tech giants of the modern day, may never have left Mark Zuckerberg’s college dorm. “Without that ease of access and unfettered growth, these companies will likely struggle, and hire fewer new employees, potentially stunting U.S. job growth. Even getting to the front of Google will be tougher, as Google has been factoring page speed into its rankings since 2010,” said Dailyfinance.com. Now this approaches the topic of big business, for even they would be affected. Amazon, the major provider for much of the goods available on the web, their business relies on fast connection with their customers. Proof of this can be seen throughout their company from their website to even their mailing system, *wink wink* delivery drones? Now say their ISP was trying to form a new contract and Amazon wasn’t agreeing to their terms; the ISP could simply cut the connection to Amazon’s website for, say an hour? Amazon makes approximately $2000 a second, and once you string that out over that hour Amazon would potentially lose $7,200,000. It’s kind of like the school bully taking your lunch money, give or take a few million dollars. The Internet may seem like some unstoppable force, and how could anyone possibly control it, but unfortunately companies like Comcast and Time Warner Cable are trying to. Fortunately the battle has not been lost. The FCC opened up their website for comments about Net Neutrality. The period ended in early September, but according to Slate.com, of the millions of comments the large majority of them were in favor of Net Neutrality. Enthusiasts everywhere hope to see a favorable resolution to the problem within the upcoming months.
2008: FCC orders Comcast to stop blocking Bittorrent traffic.
08
20
#INTERNETSLOWDOWN On Sept. 10th, 2014 over 40,000 websites participated in a movement to raise awareness for Internet Neutrality. The sites displayed banners, logos, and graphics designed to portray what the Internet would look like if neutrality ends. The day ended with:
2,039,500 1,120,000
Sites Included:
Participants
Facebook Shares
777, 364
Comments filed with the FCC
NetFlix Tumblr Vimeo Etsy Kickstarter Grooveshark Upworthy Namecheap Foursquare
312, 171
Calls made
70,000+ Calls made by Tumblr users
2009: FCC begins looking for a new way to regulate the internet.
Stats from Battleforthenet.com
2011: FCC begins looking for a new way to regulate the internet.
2010: D.C. courts defend Comcast- tell the FCC to reconsider classification of internet
14
20
2014: FCC opens a comment period for public opinion while looking for another solution. Follow the QR code to find out more about Net Neutrality’s timeline. Sci-Tech | 10.9.14 10.2.14 | crimsonweb.net |
29 15
| Sci-Tech
Top 5 under $10 Crimson’s guide to gaming on a budget by Stephen Preston, Opinion Editor
1
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (otherwise abbreviated to KOTOR) comes in #1 on this list. In 2003, years before release of flagship franchises Dragon Age and Mass Effect, sprouting company BioWare had released a new twist on the RPG genre in which the player’s decisions directly shaped their character and the world around them. Serving as the inspiration for much of the Mass Effect trilogy, this story takes place nearly 4000 years before the movies, exploring the origins of many settings and themes popularized in other mainstream Star Wars merchandise. Featuring a gripping tale, deep, complex characters, and a good plot twist or two, this is possibly one of the greatest Star Wars games ever developed.
2
Garry’s Mod, originally created as a simple sandbox-physics creation game by Garry Newman (currently maintained by Facepunch Studios) in 2004 has evolved into much more. An incredibly creative and active community has kept this game going strong for almost 10 years. Valve’s adaptable Source game engine makes this game a virtual canvas in which you can design your craziest ideas and wildest dreams in the limitless sandbox mode. Head over to the multiplayer mode, where there are an abundance of player-made gametypes. Solve a virtual murder mystery in Trouble in Terrorist Town, disguise yourself in the shape-shifting hide-andseek Prop Hunt, and much, much more.
3
Terarria is an indie sandbox game developed and published by Re-Logic. Terrarria was originally released in 2011, and has been regularly updated ever since. Commonly compared to Minecraft, Terraria is similar in concept. You begin your adventure in a field with nothing but your wits about you, and you must construct tools and find resources vital to your survival. Terraria features 2-dimensional graphics, as opposed to Minecraft’s 3. Because of this, Terraria can run on early computers, and does not suffer from the same performance issues as Mojang’s Minecraft. With plenty of dungeons to explore, bosses to fight, and treasure to uncover, Terraria is a sure fire way to find an excellent adventure.
4
SpeedRunners is quickly becoming the definitive multiplayer experience among the indie game community. Published in 2013 by tinyBuild and developed by DoubleDutch games, SpeedRunners takes a spin on the popular platformer genre, adding elements of quick thinking, quirky powerups, and intense competition with a bright super hero theme. Play with up to 4 friends for non-stop competitive fun.
5
Goat Simulator. What is there to be said of Goat Simulator? Developed and published back in April by Coffee Stain Studios, Goat Simulator began as an inside joke between the developers, but upon release was quickly met with memetic popularity. The player assumes the role of a goat, causing destruction throughout a simulated town by ramming, licking, and bleating your way through construction sites, corn fields, suburban neighborhoods, skate parks and even dance parties. This outlandish experience can be shared with up to 4 friends. This game also features a robust community, with options to create and download customized goats, levels and game modes.
16 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | Sci-Tech
Unlikely blood donors Horseshoe crab blood could save lives by Jessica Cole, In-Depth Editor
Crabs are not what most people would think of as an ideal blood donor, but their blood may help humans identify and eventually cure diseases such as urinary tract infections and spinal meningitis. “The Horseshoe crab plays a vital, if littleknown, role in the life of anyone who has received an injectable medication. An extract of the horseshoe crabs’ blood is used by pharmaceutical and medical device industries to ensure that their products, e.g., intravenous drugs, vaccines, and medical devices, are free of bacterial contamination. No other test works as easily or reliably for this purpose,” according to thehorseshoecrab.com. The Horseshoe crab has saved lives from blood injections. The crabs’ blood is used to detect viruses and prevent them from entering other human bodies. However, the injections come at a heavy price that many object to paying. The Horseshoe Crab must have approximately 1/3 of its blood drawn to serve as an identifier for diseases in injections. The crab acts as an identifier and protection against diseases because the horseshoe crab’s blood clots itself against intruders.“A horseshoe crab has blue blood which is copper-based instead of iron-based like our blood ( that’s why
it’s blue instead of red). This blood has another unique quality: horseshoe crabs’ blood will gel when it comes in contact with bacteria or endotoxins. This action is part of the Horseshoe crabs’ primitive immune system. If a Horseshoe crab sustains an injury such as a cut, when bacteria tries to enter its body, its blood gells which creates a barrier against the bacteria,” according to Horseshoe-Crab.com However, their incredible disease-fighting blood comes at a steep price: “In order to obtain Horseshoe crab blood, around 250,000 live crabs are harvested along the east coast of the U.S. each year. ” according to thehorseshoecrab. com. That is about 689 crabs per day. And each quart sells for 15,000 dollars, according to Inhabitat.com so even if it takes 100 crabs to make a quart the company still gets nearly 105,000 dollars a day, and 36,500,000 dollars a year. However, only five companies bleed the crabs: Associates of Cape Cod, Lonza, Wako Chemicals, Charles River Endosafe, and Limuli Labs. Horseshoe crabs are not an endangered species but many object to the bleeding if animals that may result in nearly 75,000 deaths a year, even as it saves human lives.
Going on 6
The new iPhone 6 receives warm welcome by Eden Peterson, Feature Co-Editor
Apple’s newest phone, the iPhone 6, hit the shelves on Sept. 19. Being the eighth generation of iPhone, the technology has improved leaps and bounds from the original iPhone that was released in 2007. With a 4.7 inch screen, while only 6.9MM wide, the iPhone 6 is Apple’s biggest and thinnest phone. Besides size, the new iPhone also impresses with a 1334x750 pixel display, which gives the screen brighter colors and higher contrast according to Apple.com. The phone is said to have an improved battery life, an improved camera with an aperture of f/2.2, and new video settings that allow for slo-mo and timelapse videos. It also has faster LTE download speeds, which ultimately means that it can connect to the internet from more locations, and when hooked up to Wi-Fi, it performs up to 3x faster than previous iPhones. The iPhone 6 has received mostly positive reviews, and has been very popular among consumers. A review published by Cnet.com on Sept. 16, said the Apple’s new phone, “....Delivers a bigger screen while remaining easy to handle, with plenty of features to satisfy everyone -- and the promise of Apple Pay on the horizon to potentially sweeten the deal even further,” but did complain
that “...the iPhone 6’s battery doesn’t fare any better than last year’s model. Some Android phones fit an even-larger 5-inch screen into the same size frame. It lacks the optical image stabilization of the bigger, more expensive 6 Plus.” This review gave the iPhone 4.5 out of five stars. A different review by Brad Molen on Engadget.com gave the phone 8.7 out of ten shares, and shared similar feelings with the first reviewer, saying “Even with a slightly larger screen, the iPhone remains comfortable to hold. With fast performance, a great display, an elegant new design and a much-needed software update, it’s one of the best smartphones you can buy right now. We wish it had the same long battery life as the iPhone 6 Plus (not to mention its optical image stabilization)...” During its debut weekend, Apple sold 10 million iphones. This is good news for Apple, as 70 percent of their profit comes from iphones, and also because they sold a million more units than last year when the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s debuted. This success is predicted to carry out through the holidays. Maynard Um, a senior research analyst for Wells Fargo, predicts that during the holiday season, Apple will sell approximately 58 million iPhones.
Food |
Caramel spiderweb creations Scary good caramel-chocolate milkshake by Eden Peterson & Michelle McPherson, Feature Co-Editors
Directions: 1. Put glass cups inside freezer for about 10 minutes. Drizzle both caramel ice cream syrup and chocolate syrup in a zig-zag design inside glass cup. Put glasses on a tray and freeze until needed. 2. Apply cooking spray on a large sheet of foil, set aside. In a large skillet, spread sugar in an even layer. Heat stove to medium high; sugar should begin to melt, shake the skillet occasionally; do not stir. When sugar begins to melt, lower the heat to medium-low, and cook sugar for about 5 minutes or until sugar is all a golden-brown color, gradually stir all sugar together with wooden spoon. With the wooden spoon, immediately drizzle the melted sugar in 2 circles,(About 3 inches wide) onto prepared sheet of foil. Drizzle zig-zags inside the circle to make it look like spiderwebs. Quickly sprinkle with sea salt. Set aside to cool. 3. In a blender, combine ice cream, milk, 3 tbsp of caramel syrup, and 3 tbsp of dark chocolate syrup. Cover and blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into prepared cups from (1).
Copycat candy
4. Add spiderwebs on top from step 2. 5. Enjoy your spiderific shakes!
Simple steps for homemade Snickers Bars by Marlee Drake, Food Editor
Directions: 1. Line a 9x13 pan with aluminum foil. Melt the chocolate candy coating and spread a thin layer along the bottom of the foil. Use no more than a ½ cup of chocolate. Refrigerate until ready to use. 2. Combine the butter, sugar, and evaporated milk in a small saucepan. Set to medium high heat and stir until the butter and sugar dissolve and come to a boil. Have the peanut butter, marshmallow fluff, and vanilla extract measured and on hand for when they’re needed. Boil for three minutes, stirring constantly. 3. Take the pan off the heat and add peanut butter, marshmallow fluff, and vanilla extract. Stir these in quickly. This will create the nougat for the candy bars. 4. Take the nougat and spread it evenly on top of the layer of chocolate in the pan. Put back in the refrigerator. 5.To microwave the caramels, water needs to be added to make sure they soften and come out smooth. Add a tablespoon of water if the caramels are soft and up to three if they are chewier. Microwave for 30 second intervals until fully melted and smooth. If they remain chewy, add more water and mix in. 6. Stir the peanuts into the caramel until fully incorporated. Spread over the nougat and refrigerate for 45 minutes for the caramel to set. 7. Remove the candy from the pan and cut in half lengthwise. Then make 10 vertical cuts in the candy bars. 8. Place the cut out bars on a fork and dip in the chocolate, letting excess chocolate drip back into the bowl. Let the chocolate set and then enjoy!
Ingredients for Cup: Ingredients for Snickers: 24 oz chocolate candy coating (little chocolates found at Michael’s) 1/2 stick butter 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup evaporated milk 1 jar marshmallow fluff 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1/3 cup peanut butter 1 bag chewy caramel, unwrapped 1 1/2 cups salted, roasted peanuts Makes 20 Bars
Caramel ice cream syrup Dark chocolate ice cream syrup
Ingredients for Spiderweb ¼ cup sugar Coarse sea salt
Ingredients for Milkshake: 6 scoops of vanilla ice cream ½ cups milk 3 tbsp of caramel ice cream syrup 3 tbsp of dark chocolate ice cream syrup Makes 2 milkshakes
Food | 10.2.14 | crimsonweb.net |
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19
THE YOUTH OF TODAY: (from left to right): Junior Camille Madrigal, Varsity Cross Country Runners, senior Josh Oliver, and senior Varsity Cheerleaders are busy playing and following their sports at PRHS. All four photos describe the feeling of spirit, energy, and excitement for life of the generation of today.
THIS GENERATION
l Center
Photos by Maureen Pushea, Lauren Wassam and Grant Scheiffele.
5%
51% OF STUDENTS SPEND
7.5 HOURS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
DAILY
70%
24%
of teens are classified as “unemployed”.
27%
of students felt “extreme stress” in the past school year.
OF STUDENTS PREFER
TODAY’S YOUTH: by the numbers
INSTAGRAM OVER ANY OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA
TUMBLR IS THE LEAST USED SOCIAL MEDIA
SITE ON CAMPUS
Social media survey results based on a survey of 315 students at PRHS.
20 l crimsonweb.net l 10.2.14 l Center
of 12-19 year olds use antidepressants.
Graphics by Carly Cargill, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Compared with previous generations, today’s generation has many of the same stereotypes, such as being, “apathetic, lazy and self-centered, with a sense of entitlement,” according to Jonathan Bidwell, head of the citizenship program at Demos. Because social media presses the negative aspects of teenager-hood, teens are looking more and more undesirable; however, many adults are describing today’s generation as enthusiastic and hard working. The current generation has problems just like previous generations, but the mode of spreading thoughts is much more efficient. Information according to usatoday.com, wsj.com, guttmatcher.org, and cbsnews.com
16%
of teens have had sex by age 15.
28%
of teens, nationally, play sports to manage stress, while 43% spend time online.
{P
}
Center l
Real talk on today’s teens Teachers discuss technology, economy, and environment by Eden Peterson, Feature Co-Editor
art of being a teen is being labeled with stereotypes such as lazy, materialistic, entitled, etc. Growing up can be hard enough without having to face these kinds of generalizations, but for the most part, the teachers at PRHS don’t let all the bad hype fog their vision of their students’ true identities. Adolescents age ten to 19 make up nearly 14 percent of the United States’ population according to the 2012 U.S. Census Bureau. That means there are 41, 844, 000 teenagers in the U.S. alone. Soon members of Generation X are the ones that are going to be stepping up, taking the jobs, and running the country. There are many battles to face like a sagging economy, and 6.1 percent unemployment rate according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Aug. 2014 report, but it’s up to today’s youth to overcome these struggles. If teens learn from the older generations and take adult’s concerns and hopes about them into consideration, it may make their future difficulties a little easier to overcome. There are nearly 2,000 students at PRHS, and only around 90 staff members. These teachers get a chance to educate quite a few Bearcats before they all move on, and it’s safe to say they’ve seen their array of students and generations. Four teachers, Sean Pierce, Evan Clark, Carrie Baldovin, and Michael Delbar, shared their thoughts and feelings about today’s youth. All four had similar thoughts on the positive qualities of their students and teenagers in general. “I see from Paso High kids that they’re hard working kids...I mean every generation likes to think there’s a big dropoff from when [they were] in high school, but I don’t think that’s true. You always have a gamut of behaviors and abilities, and ambitions …. This generation is going to do every bit as well as my generation did,” said Pierce, who has been teaching English at PRHS since 2000. Baldovin, who has taught English for 24 years, had similar views on PRHS students’ ambition and their outlook on the future. “If I’m socializing with adults and they’re pretty negative about young people in general, I don’t feel that way. I feel really hopeful because I see so many really good students in my class, who are working really hard to better themselves so they can go out and do what they want to do,” Baldovin said. While the teachers’ criticism of today’s youth wasn’t as harsh as some articles or blogs about teen behavior, three out of the four teachers had one concern in common: a disconnect in today’s youth due to technology. “When I was a kid we played outside a lot. We lived outside, and I drive around neighborhoods and I don’t see kids playing outside. They’re so into their technology that they don’t have enough time to interact with each other” said Delbar, who has been teaching French for eleven years. Baldovin echoed Delbar’s concerns. “Part of [the dependence on technology] is if you don’t have those things you’re at a disadvantage. If you don’t have a computer in the home, even cell phones, you get to be kind
of at a disadvantage even academically...I would say that I’ve noticed a disconnect because people are so connected to their technology they forget to connect in the moment they’re in” Baldovin said. Geometry teacher Evan Clark wasn’t as worried about a lack of interaction due to technology. Clark actually was impressed with the way today’s generation is able to utilize technology. “I don’t think that I see [a lack of communication due to technology] in my classroom so much...In the classroom I think that my students are just as able to communicate with each other and with me as an adult and I wouldn’t say that communication seems different to me than years ago when I first started teaching...In light of this new technology that is so prevalent and the amount of information you guys are receiving everyday, I am amazed at your ability to take it all in and decipher what is important to you” said Clark, who has taught for ten years. Another concern the teachers shared wasn’t about any behaviors of today’s youth, but of the difficulties teenagers are going to face due to the economy. “...The biggest variable [in the success of today’s students] is the economy. The world that my generation and previous generations have left bequeathed to this generation is more of a factor than any inherent ability or disposition,” Pierce said. While Clark acknowledged the challenges presented by the economy, he felt like the United States was on the path to economic recovery. One of his biggest concerns involves a crisis on the local level. “For your specific generation I worry about things in our community like our water issues right now. My wife and I are involved in agriculture to an extent and we worry that the wells are going to dry up...Socially in our time I think that things seem to be improving. I have an optimistic outlook for your generation. As far as our economy and the opportunities that you guys are going to have, I think it’s getting better. I am hopeful that it”ll continue to get better,” Clark said. The teachers all had varying differences they noticed when comparing today’s teens to teens of the past. Clark found the vast and constant exposure to information through social media to be the main differences he recognized when comparing past and present students. Baldovin found that one of the main differences in PRHS compared to the past is more ethnic diversity. Pierce brought up some behavioral differences. “When I student taught here in the Spring of 1988, there was really more of a wild west factor among student behavior...When I arrived at the high school in 2000 after teaching at both middle schools, I’ve noticed that things are much better organized, and there are much higher expectations in behaviors and academics” Pierce said. As far as academic differences, Delbar summed it all up. “I see laziness in some students and that’s frustrating...Were we any less lazy when I was back in high school? I actually don’t remember,” Delbar said.
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| Center
Q&A SOCIETY EXPECTATIONS by Michelle McPherson, Feature Co-Editor
With the world’s views constantly changing, behaviors, attitudes and actions towards certain topics are most likely to change as well. Every day the world presents different challenges; but the way we solve them can become more difficult than the challenge itself, with society staring at us like we're all bugs under a microscope.
We asked students about today’s societal expectations. These are their responses. What are some things that society expects from you?
Do you think that today’s social standards are harder to Attain? What are some of society’s standards?
Do you think that our society makes higher standards so everyone else will have a better opportunity?
Jaedon Lyon, 9 “A lot of good traits like being caring, having respect, and showing kindness.”
“Not particularly.”
Cirie Gott, 12
“Act normal and to dress normally.”
“Yes!”
“You have to “Get good grades dress and act a certain way or and go to school.” else you aren’t normal.”
“Yes!”
22 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | Center
“ S o m e t i m e s, like going to college.”
Sam Hallett, 12
“To be more feminine and to dress and look normal.”
“Yes, most definitely.”
“Act normal and look normal, be skinny and you have to be pretty. You have to follow along and not be anything that isn’t the normal.”
“Yes!”
Gabby Angelica mahyrka Penita, 10 Hamamoto,11 Miranda, 11 “Society expects us to live up to their standards by being successful and your image needs to be to their standards.”
“ S o c i a l l y, society expects me to go with the crowd and do what everyone else is doing. I think I should be myself.”
“It can be.”
“Yes because In my opinion, society will never be ok with you being just you.”
“Sporty and if you aren’t you aren't in. Some people like to be alone, but society sees you as an outcast.”
“I can see that, college is expected so we can have a better future.”
No Response
“No.”
“Society wants me to have good grades, and have an education, so I can have a good future. “
“Yeah they definitely expect more from us an push is harder so they [society] can get more effort out of us. But I think that is okay.”
No Response
“Yes because people are more judgmental in this generation. And it is harder to fit in but it's manageable.”
Health |
You snooze, you lose Hitting the snooze button negatively affects students’ days
by Mila Robb-Hiteshew, Fun & Games Co-Editor The tune starts playing in your dream, then you roll over in bed, scramble for the clock or phone, until finally your hand hits the edge, crawls over to the snooze button and compresses it until the horridly loud sound stops. Whether the alarm clock plays soft rock, heavy metal, or pop music, the sound of silence and a five minute return to sleep can often be more inviting. The snooze button can be harmful to a student’s work, motivation, and memory, according to cnn.com. The real problem is a grogginess known as sleep inertia which is the feeling of grogginess and disorientation that can come from awakening from a deep sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. The grogginess is an effect of the disruption of the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep cycle and cannot be dispelled by the usual remedies of a quick, cold shower and a cup of coffee grabbed on the way out the door. In fact, it will last over an hour also according to cnn.com. Regardless of these negative effects, almost one third of students surveyed said that they push the snooze button most or every morning, while another 17 percent said that they do it occasionally.
However, 42 percent of students said that they wake up naturally, on their own, two-four days each week, and 21 percent said that they do every day. Being able to wake up naturally is a sign of a healthier sleep schedule, one devoid of chronic sleep deprivation known as social jet lag, which is constituted by six or fewer hours of sleep each night. This jet lag can also have some more negative effects as well.
“The snooze button can be harmful to a student’s work, motivation, and memory.” —CNN.com “Over time, some sufferers have been shown to have a higher body-mass index and an elevated risk of diabetes,” according to cnn.com. To avoid harmful effects, and the need for the snooze button, there are some very simple tips.
If not getting into bed but getting to sleep is your problem, then try to avoid electronics for about 90 minutes before heading to bed. The backlit screens can result in a delay in melatonin production. “Melatonin’s main job in the body is to regulate night and day cycles or sleep-wake cycles. Darkness causes the body to produce more melatonin, which signals the body to prepare for sleep. Light decreases melatonin production and signals the body to prepare for being awake,” according to webmd.com. Another strategy is a simple but effective method: hide your clock. If you have to search for the beeping or buzzing to shut it off then that might make it easier to get out of bed. A final thought about sleep: music can make it easier to get up and go. Twelve percent of surveyed students said that they listen to soft rock in the morning, which has been said to be the best music to wake up to, according to Neurology. Some suggestions include The Carpenters, America, Simon and Garfunkel, Paul Simon, and Chicago, which are listed as top five on Ranker. Sleeping a full eight hours can sometimes be tricky as a student, and pushing the snooze button can seem like the perfect short term fix, but the negative long term effects far out way this.
24% of students enjoy waking up earlier 92% of students listen to music when waking up 42% of students wake up naturally 2-4 days a week
29% of students press the snooze button to start their morning Graphic by Cassandra Pauley
Stats from an 82 person survey
Health | 10.2.14 | crimsonweb.net |
23
Chris Williams toma cargo del PRSD en una era enfoncando en los estudiantes
24 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | Carmesí
NUEVO SUPERINTENDENTE TOMA CARGO
| Carmesí
Nuevo superintendente Chris Williams, un galardonado, ex asistente del superintendente y padre de dos hijos, ha comenzado a dirigir el Paso Robles Distrito Escolar. Williams viene calificado con seis años como administrador en las escuela en Fresno, ocho años como asistente del superintendente, y él también trae una perspectiva fresca a la mesa. Williams fue elegido por miembros de la junta escolar con la asistencia de 20 miembros de la comunidad. El grupo incluía sindicales elegidos, empleados de la escuela, el pasado y los maestros actuales, y miembros destacados de la comunidad empresarial "Me ofrecí para ser parte de la búsqueda y el proceso de encontrar el nuevo superintendente porque necesitábamos un líder que tuvo la visión para los profesionales para entender, responder y transformar lo que ha sido años de nefasta gestión financiera, comunicación falso, y el abandono desgarrador de así que muchos de los programas sobresalientes que se ofrecen en las escuelas del distrito por los profesores y el apoyo de los padres. Creo, espero y ruego que Chris tiene la visión para restorar Paso Robles Escuelas Públicas de la talla anterior que alguna vez tuvo en San Luis Obispo County, "Susan Young, una maestra de segundo grado Virginia Peterson, quien ha trabajado en este distrito durante 28 años. Él está reemplazando permanentes Kathleen McNamara, quien había sido superintendente durante siete años y se retiró al final del año escolar más reciente según s a n l u i s o b i s p o. com, y el superintendente temporal Jim Brescia, que había sido el líder del distrito de sólo tres meses mientras esperaba a que el nuevo reemplazo permanente para ser elegido. Mientras Brescia, quien provocó la suficiente confianza para ser nombrado el Superintendente del Condado a partir de enero, el líder anterior, McNamara presidió una época de conflictos y los disturbios en el distrito. Con los últimos días de descanso, hasta 12 en el año escolar 2012-2013, un voto de no-confianza, y una jubilación anticipada eventual, estuvo a cargo durante algunos cambios que muchas personas encontraron relativa. "Lo que siempre hago es poner los niños en el centro de la mesa. Trato de poner el foco de nuevo a '¿Cómo se va ser mejor para los niños en Paso Unificadas?' A veces, cuando usted está tratando con personas diferentes, pueden tener diferentes participaciones en algo, pero en realidad, la educación es acerca proporcionando [los estudiantes] con las mejores oportunidades educativas posibles ", dijo Williams, quien también se ha desempeñado como profesor de matemáticas, educación física y entrenador de fútbol después de su éxito All-State como jugador en Fresno State Univ. Llegada de Williams en PRPS se ha caracterizado por la conexión de los estudiantes y la construcción de confianza Viajó a Clovis el 29 de septiembre para ver el primer partido de fútbol Bearcat. En el juego él platico con cheerleaders y presidente del clase de los seniors, Blair Orlando, a veces en gran profundidad.
"Dijo que quería tener una reunión mensual con algunos estudiantes, incluyendo a mí mismo y el presidente de ASB, Amy Cantrell, quien representa a la escuela de cualquier manera de los atletas a los Socios de Clubs. Amy y yo hemos estado hablando con algunas personas de ser parte de esto y para ayudar a que nuestro campus mejorar con la ayuda de Superintendente Williams ", dijo Orlando, quien también es un líder de Link Crew. La comunidad de Paso ha escuchado el mensaje del superintendente, al igual que los maestros en PRHS. Profesor de Liderazgo Marcy Goodnow, uno de los líderes de la programa, Link Crew, y el programa Carmesí Crew, comparte este objetivo común de hacer de la escuela un lugar mejor y mantener la atención en los estudiantes y sus oportunidades, y para difundir este conocimiento a la comunidad . "Ese ha sido nuestro objetivo durante los últimos 4 años y creo que realmente hemos empezado a hacer que la gente piensa de una manera diferente. Los estudiantes de esta escuela quieren mostrar a la comunidad lo increíble que son cada vez que pueden !! "dijo Goodnow. Los líderes estudiantiles como Orlando también sienten que el superintendente tiene los objetivos correctos en mente. "Él ha compartido sus objetivos de conectar con los estudiantes conmigo y parece muy dedicado a la creación de una relación con los estudiantes, en comparación con el pasado [superintendente]", dijo Orlando. Con un fuerte apretón de manos y un gran sonrisa, Williams se reunió alrededor de 50 maestros en la habitación 503 para un conocer y saludar con refrescos el Martes, septiembre 9 Con todos los administradores de la escuela, excepto subdirector de disciplina Dan Sharon, introdujo a sí mismo a los maestros y otros miembros del personal, comenzando su período aquí con un patrón de comunicación. Este patrón de comunicación incluye las administraciones escolares y Sharon está de acuerdo con los objetivos del superintendente. "Siempre estoy feliz de tener oportunidades para garantizar la percepción de la comunidad refleja la realidad de nuestra cultura del campus y el clima. Paso Robles High School es una institución ejemplar de aprendizaje. El logro del estudiante dentro y fuera del aula, el éxito postsecundario, y el número de graduados que tengan un impacto positivo en nuestra comunidad y comunidades de todo el mundo local son un testimonio de los binturong hacer una diferencia, ". El ex asistente del superintendente quien fue nominado y ganó el negociador del año, que se retiró a través de conseguir el distrito escolar de Fresno 16,000 tabletas a ser un distrito escolar "One-to-One Iniciativa Tech", y que ayudó a su distrito en la disminución de la deserción escolar las tasas, las tasas de suspensión y las tasas de expulsión, que aumentaron el número de graduados a un nivel récord, trae una nueva perspectiva y se sienten a la oficina del distrito. "Traigo el foco de nuevo en los estudiantes", dijo Williams
“Lo que siempre hago es poner los niños en el centro de la mesa.” —Chris Williams
— escrito por Rachel Cole, Co-Editor-in-Chief, traducido por Mariela Villa, Business Manager
Carmesí |
Nuevo Superintendente en Paso Cheeleaders en verde azulados PRHS empieza Link Crew para dar la bienvenida escrito por Jessica Cole, In-Depth Co-Editor, traducido por Mariela Villa, Business Manager
Orientación del noveno grado el 19 de agosto, ofreciendo más de los sentimientos nerviosos y miedosos: a la espera de 567 estudiantes del noveno grado, 81 líderes de link crew, vestidos de verde azulado para dar la bienvenida, guía, y poner una cara a la escuela secundaria. Cada líder fue emparejado a un grupo de ocho a 10 estudiantes del primer año de secundaria para dirigir en el año escolar. Se reúnen todos los jueves durante tutorial, bajo la dirección de Marcy Goodnow, Jennifer Bedrosian, y Anthony Overton. Y parece que hay un efecto positivo: "Creo que Link Crew es una buena idea para ayudar a la gente disfrutar el campus con más detalle, y que tipo de ayuda a empujar a la gente más de esa pequeña frase de '¿Qué está pasando? ¿Dónde estoy? ¿Dónde están mis clases? 'Y empuja más del nerviosismo inicial de la escuela secundaria para que puedan empezar a disfrutar más plenamente de la escuela secundaria ", dijo el estudiante de primer año Mason Hansen. La escuela promulgó Link Crew en 2014, pero la organización Link Crew también está presente en 549 escuelas en 220 distritos, para un promedio de 2.5 escuelas por distritos sólo en California. Link Crew es también en 44 estados y 6 países, incluyendo Estados Unidos, Canadá, China, Corea del Sur, Tailandia y los Emiratos Árabes Unidos en Arabia Saudita Link Crew es una organización internacional, creada con la idea de que la estudiante de primer año que tienen una experiencia positiva. Fue fundada en, por The Boomerang Project, en 1992. “Yo se que esta ayudando, hemos tenido tanta evidencia para apoyar el hecho de que su trabajo, más de los estudiantes que he tenido padres enviarme mensajes, llamadas, la seguridad, el personal, todo tipo de gente, la administración, todo el mundo está muy orgullosa del tono que se ha establecido, " dijo Goodnow. Y para algunos la importancia hace que el personal internacional de riesgo. "Sirvo como un buen modelo y creo que la gente siempre necesita gente a mirar hacia arriba en busca de consejo e ir a por diferentes preguntas de la vida. Me uní a Link Crew porque me encanta conocer gente y estoy bien en la comunicación con cualquier persona más que me encuentro ", dijo Senior Andrew Mungia, que se unió a Link Crew para la práctica de reuniones y la comunicación con gente nueva. Freshman Kaylee Terri está de acuerdo con él: "Creo que los líderes de Link Crew ayuda a alcanzar y conocer a otras personas. y ayúdame a crear nuevos amigos y ser amigos con gente que yo no sería amigo de, y realmente se ramifican ". Y Senior lider de Link Crew Kara Bruce dijo: "Me encanta porque realmente he conocido a tanta gente y aprendido tantas habilidades de liderazgo, así como habilidades de enseñanza. Al entrar en este no tenía ni idea de lo que me esperaba, pensé que solo iba a conocer a algunos estudiantes y ahora me doy cuenta de que es mucho más, es el fortalecimiento de una de las partes más importantes de nuestro cuerpo de estudiantes que estarán aquí durante los próximos 4 años. Esto se siente increíble ser parte de la herencia de la clase de 2018 van a dejar atrás ". Link Crew ha previsto numerosas actividades durante el resto del semestre, incluyendo la asignación de los líderes de Link Crew a los pocos estudiantes de primer año que no podía hacerlo con la orientación, por lo que no hay estudiantes de primer año se queda atrás.
Chris Williams toma el trabajo de superintendente este ano en Paso Robles escrito por Grant Scheiffle, fotografo
Kathleen McNamara dimitió de la junta escolar de Paso Robles el 30 de junio, una pregunta desalentadora se dejó el resto de la misma: ¿Quién tomará su lugar? Mientras que el verano pasó, la junta encontró un candidato aparentemente capaz, Chris Williams. Ser el nuevo superintendente y nuevo ciudadano de nuestra ciudad, Williams dio la vuelta y se entrevistó con los propietarios de tiendas del centro y los ciudadanos sobre diferentes aspectos de la ciudad, la escuela, y todos los eventos y proyectos tomando forma, ya se trate de cómo "el fútbol se queda con todo" o cómo el nuevo gimnasio viene en camino. Williams dijo que su objetivo es tener una "relación transparente entre la escuela y la comunidad", para unificar mejor nuestro municipio, y fortalecer los eventos comunitarios que involucran tanto las escuelas de El Paso y el resto de la ciudad. "Treinta y cuatro por ciento de nuestros estudiantes de la secundaria están tomando clases de AP, que es un número muy alto. Pero no creo que el mensaje va a los padres", dijo Williams, que pasó un tiempo en el condado de Fresno aumentar el número de estudiantes tomar clases de AP. La comunidad no siempre ve las influencias positivas de las escuelas de Paso al igual que Williams. "Hay una percepción, en esta comunidad ... que algunos estudiantes quieren ir a Templeton", dijo. La falta de claridad y comunicación entre la escuela y la comunidad está impulsando los estudiantes de Paso, a pesar de los beneficios de la escuela. Con esta nueva información en mente, Dr. Chris Williams está tratando de limpiar las lentes de la comunidad que se centran en nuestra educación. Williams comenzó a trabajar en Paso el 2 de septiembre de comenzar su carrera después de la transición de su tiempo como asistente del superintendente del condado de Fresno. Antes de que él era asistente del superintendente, Williams también trabajó como profesor, entrenador, subdirector, y el principal en el condado de Fresno.
Carmesí | 10.2.14 | crimsonweb.net |
25
| Environment
Don’t poison my food Styrofoam ban heading to San Luis Obispo County
by Sadie Mae Mace, Environment Editor
“Can I get that to go?” This phrase will often conjure up thoughts of food nestled in a white Styrofoam package; however, a ban presented by the environmental group SLO Foam Free, may change the traditional “to-go” image and ban the sale of Styrofoam in mid winter. Expanded polystyrene (EPS), otherwise known as Styrofoam, poses a great risk to the environment and peoples’ health. EPS takes up to 500 years to decompose and currently fills up thirty percent of our landfills. It cannot be recycled even though it has a recycling sign on the bottom. The sign is not regulated and polystyrene is technically a plastic. However, because of Styrofoam’s low density, many recyclable places cannot recycle it, according to the Santa Barbara Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division. It also contaminates peoples’ nervous system and has carcinogenic effects. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, long term exposure of EPS can result in depression, hearing loss, and fatigue. EPS is made using styrene monomer, which is a toxic, colorless liquid that often leaves residue in its products. Styrene monomer is not only used for food containers, it is also found in CD cases, packing peanuts, and plastic cutlery. Eating food out of Styrofoam containers is harmful - styrene monomer is proven by the Earth Resource Foundation to leech out of its containers and into human bodies. SLO Foam Free is an organization dedicated to “eliminating the sale and commercial use of EPS foam in restaurants and
grocery stores”, according to their website, www. hopedance.org. The group first met on January 12, 2014 to propose the ban to the SLO City Council on March 4, 2014. The ban consists of eradicating the use of EPS in San Luis Obispo county, following the lead of 91 cities in America, with 84 in California, such as San Francisco, Malibu, and Santa Cruz. “[SLO Foam Free] is really part of the global community wanting to create a cleaner environment,” spokeswoman Janine Rands says. The ban has 143 official supporters based on the SLO Foam Free Facebook page, email list, and group members. Some local businesses are joining the cause. “I do support a ban on Styrofoam. We have been trying to be very environmentally friendly,” says Dawn Gregory, owner of Odyssey World Cafe in downtown Paso Robles. On websturantstore.com, a hinged Styrofoam container costs $1.14 per case. On the same website, a hinged sugarcane-made biodegradable container costs $3.77 per case. “We do have one product that we use [and] that’s Styrofoam and it is very inexpensive...But we are trying to get rid of it,” Gregory said. “We have to pass on the expense to the customer.” Ultimately, the consumer will decide if the cost to save their health and the environment is worth the price.
“[SLO Foam Free] is really part of the global community wanting to create a cleaner environment.” —Janine Rand
Want to support the movement? You can do any of three things: 28 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | Environment
Like the SLO Foam Free Facebook page Attend SLO Foam Free meetings Avoid supporting businesses that use Styrofoam
Environment |
DEFEATING THE DROUGHT One simple step to saving water in this record-breaking drought by Tegan Curren, Health Editor Californians are currently experiencing the worst drought the
On average, a regular shower-head spurts out about 5 gallons
that water. Simply positioning a bucket under the warming water,
state has seen in the past century, and the driest rainfall period
per minute according to Discovery’s curiosity.com. That means
then using that water to relieve a plant’s thirst will reduce the
that California has recordedly ever seen says the San Jose
that leaving the shower running for just three minutes while
amount of water going down the drain. Voila! Water has been used
Mercury News. The good news is there are small changes that
waiting for the water to heat up will waste 15 gallons of water. An
can be made to use the extra water for some parched plants.
unexpected household item can help tremendously with saving
to quench a plant’s thirst instead of the drain’s.
30% of solid is waste recycled 75% of solid waste is recyclable
In household waste 34% is paper 25% is food waste
12% is plastics 8% is metal 5% is glass
89% 67% 62% 26%
of students have a recycling bin at their house.
of students think recycling is important.
of students recycle often. of students keep a compost.
Environment | 10.2.14 | crimsonweb.net |
29
| Fun & Games
DIY School Spirit
5
How to make your own spirit shirt by Tegan Curren, Health Editor
Now decorate the shirt! Some ideas for decorating are tying up the sleeves with some crimson ribbon, add some glitter, add some cut-outs, tie-dye the shirt, or use some stencils to make some cool designs.
1
Cut off the hem of the shirt.
2. Cut the fringe three quarters of the way you would it to be cut to. Now rip it the fringe to the point where you can see what you would like beCutfringe. the fringe quarters of the hind the On thisthree example, the fringe wasway cut wouldofitatopairbeof cut to. Now rip it the to theyou belt loops jeans.
2
fringe to the point where you can see what you would like behind the fringe.
3
Pull the fringe strings to make them longer and thinner.
4
Cut the collar to the shape you would like. A couple examples could be v-necked or rounded.
30 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | Fun & Games
How much school spirit do you have?
Fun & Games |
Take this quiz to see if you are a true bearcat by Mariela Villa, Business Manager
5) Should you go to other sporting events besides football? A) Yes B) No 6) Who is our biggest rival? (This is really a no-brainer) A) Templeton Eagles B) Mission College Prep Royals C) San Luis Obispo Lions D) Atascadero Greyhounds 7) What song does the band play during nutrition on Fridays? A) Alma Mater B) National Anthem C) Hey Baby D) Livin’ on a Prayer 8) Does our bearcat have a name? A) Yes B) No 9) What color do we hate the most? A) Orange B) Gold C) Purple D) Navy
10) What section is the student section at War Memorial Stadium? A) Section C B) Section D C) Section E D) Section F If you got 10-8 right, you definitely have school spirit. It’s not even a question about going to a game of some sort and supporting the mighty Bearcats. You most likely have a section in your closet devoted to crimson clothing . If you got 7-5 right, you have some school spirit but there is definitely enough room for you to bring up your game. If you got 4-3 right, it seems like you are just going to school to ‘‘just go to school.’’ You don’t really care about having school spirit and you just want to get a diploma. But a way to make your experience more enjoyable is to go to a couple of games, participate in spirit weeks, and become more involved and high school will be a lot more fun. If you got 2-0 right, are you sure you aren’t a Greyhound?
1)B, 2)B, 3)D, 4)D, 5)A, 6)D,7)C, 8)B, 9)A, 10)C
1) Who’s the almighty savior of this campus? A) Your mother B) Randy Nelson C) Yourself D) Your pet 2) At football games you _____? A) Talk with friends by the snack bar B) Cheer in the student section and watch the game C) Walk around the field with friends D) Just eat the food that is being sold 3) What are our school colors? A) Crimson, white and black B) Maroon, white and silver C) Red and black D) Crimson and white 4) What’s the school motto? A) Pound the Hounds B) Do we even have a school motto? C) The Mighty Bearcats D) Proud of our Past - Focused on our Future
Fun & Games | 10.2.14 | crimsonweb.net |
31
| World
Terrorist threat ISIS threatens Middle East Former faction of Al Qaeda presents challenge for world leaders by Nathan Rowley and Grant Scheiffele, Photographers, with contributions from Mayer Pohlod, World Editor A feared extremist group ISIS, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, has spread swiftly across the Middle East. ISIS is a terrorist group that splintered off of the bigger, more well-known group, Al Qaeda. ISIS was disavowed and separated from al Qaeda in February ironically because of extreme brutality. Al Qaeda does not agree with showing executions virally as ISIS has continuously done. ISIS is responsible for the massacre of at least 500 Yazidis, one of the oldest Islamic branches known in the Middle East. They are led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who led insurgent counterattacks against U.S. troops after Osama bin Laden’s death in 2011. ISIS has claimed responsibility of the beheading of two American journalists including James Foley on August 19, 2014 and also Steven Sotloff on September 2, 2014. David Haines, a British aid worker, was executed September 15, 2014. ISIS has control of 35 bases within the Middle East in cities including Tikrit, Mosul, and a town on the edge of Syria known as Al-Qaim. They took control of Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, on September 9. “The ability to take Iraq’s second-largest city, and so quickly at that, speaks volumes about ISIS. It suggests that the organization has a high degree of internal cohesion, strong command and control, and an ability(and willingness) to fight fixed, positional battles to oust Iraqi forces. In other words, they can fight like a modern military” Yale insurgency expert Jason Lyall said. The U.S. Government sent 300 additional troops to Iraq last
June to assist the 500 troops already stationed there to help protect Iraqi citizens. They invaded Iraq’s second largest city, Mosul, on September 10, and now holding 1/3 of Iraq themselves. In addition to support troops, President Barack Obama approved an air-strike against the faction located in Syria. President Obama states that “...we will expand our efforts beyond protecting our own people and humanitarian missions, so that we’re hitting ISIS targets as Iraqi forces go on offense.” In his address, President Obama continued, “the idea that the United States or any outside power would perpetually defeat ISIS ... is unrealistic,”. They have taken territory in Iraq and Syria nearly the size of Belgium in February according to online news website Vox. ISIS has excavated nearly 1.2 million people out of there homes in Iraq, as well as having attacked and controlled portions of Syria ISIS’s goal is to establish a caliphate, or a government run by a caliph, which means successor. This successor i s the leader of both the government and religious branches.
“...we will expand our efforts beyond protecting our own people and humanitarian missions, so that we’re hitting ISIS targets as Iraqi forces go on offense.” —President Barack Obama
Control 35% of Syria is
controlled by ISIS
ISIS INSIDE OF SYRIAN TERRITORY: ISIS USES TERRORISM TACTICS THROUGHOUT SYRIA AS THEY GAIN GROUND ON THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT. THE COLLAGE ABOVE DEPICTS SERIES OF EVENTS THAT ISIS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH.
32 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | World
of Syria
65%
of Syria controlled by Syrian Government
World |
Map of West Africa
Senegal 1 Case 0 Deaths
Guinea 771 Cases
Nigeria
494 Deaths
27 Cases 7 Deaths
Sierra-Leone 1,216 Cases 476 Deaths
Liberia 1,698 Cases 871 Deaths
The Democratic Republic of the Congo 62 Cases
Outbreak of Ebola affects world once again
35 Deaths
Statistics reported by CNN as of September 16th
Virus makes first major appearance since 2012 by Mayer Pohlod, World Editor
The Ebola Virus, once exclusively located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, then known as Zaire, in 1976 and then again in 1995, has caused an outbreak once again following sporadic instances in Uganda among other countries from 1995 to 2012. First spotted earlier this year in March, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported the Ebola virus occurring once again, this time in Guinea, the first time it’s been spotted there. Later, the outbreak had also been reported in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and by late August 2014, the disease had been reported to have spread to Nigeria as well. WHO also commented on the matter, saying, “The virus is no longer country-specific but a sub-regional crisis that requires firm action by governments and partners.” There have been over 1,000 cases of Ebola documented in both Sierra so far, with Guinea having over 700 by itself. The death tolls in the aforementioned countries have all reached over 500 as of . Nigeria has had 21 cases reported with seven deaths, while Senegal has had one confirmed case of the disease without any deaths according to CNN . The U.N. has predicted that the amount of cases could reach as high as above 20,000 cases before it will be halted, as reported by USA Today. WHO does report however that the official statistics probably “vastly underestimate the magnitude of the outbreak”, according to an article published by the New York Times on September 23rd earlier this year.
The United States has had a couple of scares with Ebola as well; two American doctors, Dr. Kent Brantly and Dr. Nancy Writebol, were held in an Atlanta hospital while being treated for Ebola after trying to help treat it themselves in Liberia. Another potential contractor had been quarantined in Saskatchewan, Canada. However, the patient who had recently just returned home from Liberia ended up not having contracted the disease, nor any of it’s similar relatives. Ebola is one of the most dangerous illnesses known to man. Just a week after having the virus, a patient would start to experience headaches, fatigue, chills and fever. After day 10, it continues further to induce a more serious fever, vomiting and rash. The following day, symptoms begin to include bleeding from every orifice in the body; finally, on day 12, the patient would begin to have seizures, internal bleeding, loss of consciousness, and death. The disease is believed to originate within fruit bats in the Congo, and is mainly transferred between humans via bodily fluids. It’s listed as a Category A Priority Pathogen by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, meaning that they are easily transmitted from host to host and have the “potential for major public health impact.”
“The virus is no longer country specific but a sub-regional crisis that required firm action by governments and partners.” according to the World Health Organization
World | 10.2.14 | crimsonweb.net |
33
| A&E
Coming from someone who did not read the book series, I was extremely impressed with the storyline and execution. I thought they rushed the plot and made something that realistically would have taken months of strategy (such as exiting the maze) and smashed into around three days. Although it wasn’t labeled as a horror, it had a major element of thrill and incorporated those scenes that have you grasping the armrests.
As someone who read the book, it followed it better than some other movies. While some things were definitely changed, and some things were left out, it really did keep to the overall story, and the visuals were exactly what I expected them to be when I read it. The acting was pretty decent as well, and it had me on the edge of my seat, and it brought the suspense from reading to the big screen tremendously. Though the pacing was a bit awkward, it still was a definite enjoyment; two hours have never flown by so fast.
—Mae App, 11
—Mayer Pohlod, 12
One aMAZING movie Crimson Staff Review
The buildup of suspense and questioning of what the maze was was really well done. The movie held a sort of suspenseful air, and I couldn’t help but lean forward in my seat whenever the characters would enter the maze. This movie was more than entertaining.
The plot kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Even though I read the series multiple times, it captured the true essence of the book. The cinematography was flawless, and I felt like I was actually in the Maze or Glade. The acting, especially by Dylan O’Brien and Kaya Scodelario, was very believable. It definitely ranks in the “thriller” genre, and I would see it again in a heartbeat.
—Grant Scheiffele, 10
- Sadie Mae Mace, 10
The art direction and overall technical side of The Maze Runner was really fantastic, although I feel that the story lacked a bit of focus sometimes straying off course. The acting was very impressive, and I was really invested in the characters, but the end result of the story left me with a bitter taste in my mouth. Most sequences were very thrilling— directed, choreographed with the cinematography in a way that kept me excited.
-Brandt Goodman, 11
Bearcat spirit playlist Music to pump up that campus spirit by Matt Tyra, Co-Sports Editor, Amy Cantrell, Copy Editor 1. “Anna Sun” by Walk the Moon
5. “Fever” by The Black Keys
9. “Somebody Told Me”
2. “Holiday”
6. “Pompeii”
10. “Shake it Off”
by Bastille
by Taylor Swift
by Vampire Weekend
CLICK. DANCE. Spontaneous lunch time dance party, 9/18/14.
3. “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
4. “Come on Eileen”
34 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | A&E
Listen to the playlist on Spotify!
by Dexys Midnight Runners
7. “Dog Days are Over” by Florence + The Machine
8. “We are Young” by Fun
by The Killers
11. “Beat It” by Michael Jackson
12. “Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats
Ads |
Ads | 10.2.14 | crimsonweb.net |
35
| Sports
A FUTURE IN FOOTBALL
Senior Josh Oliver poses with a football, which he’ll be playing at San Jose State on a full scholarship. Oliver is averaging a touchdown per game so far this year. Photo by Maureen Pushea
Senior Josh Oliver verbally commits to San Jose State University by Carly Cargill, Co-Editor In Cheif
W
ho needs tuition? While the senior class zips up, sends off college applications, waits in anticipation for acceptance letters, and sights their futures, senior Josh Oliver will be unpacking his load of college stress and waiting for the collegiate football season -- as a San Jose State Spartan. Oliver verbally committed to San Jose State University with a full ride football scholarship on Friday, Jun. 25, a decision he is happy with. “I chose San Jose because it was close to home, and I really liked the coaching staff… I love their school and their programs… I’m pretty content with my commitment, so I’m not looking for other offers,” Oliver said. Oliver’s full ride offer will cancel out the $130,000 four year tuition fee at SJSU. Head coach, Ron Caragher, called Oliver just a day after he attended the 2014 Football Summer Camp and gave him the offer. With an average of one touchdown per game, Oliver has proved to be essential on the roster so far this season. “I would say definitely less than one percent [receive full ride offers for football], so to have him commit early to San Jose and have two or three other that have offers, is a good year for us,” said Head Football Coach Rich Schimke, who has coached the Varsity team for 27 years and 16 as head coach. He came in contact with the university by sending highlight films and attending their summer football camp for up-and-coming college athletes. But football isn’t the only sport Oliver excels in; he has played on the Bearcat varsity basketball team for three years as a forward, averaging six points per game.
36 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | Sports
“I was really excited [when I heard the offer]. I’m not planning on playing basketball in college. It would be too hard to keep up academically, and I’d want to focus on football,” Oliver said. Oliver plays slot receiver and outside linebacker after a freshman year at cornerback and tight end. Close friend and teammate for six years, senior wide receiver Bailey Gaither has nothing but respect for Oliver. “Our friendship is pretty cool--wild. [In 20 years, I see Josh] either a part of a business or retired from all of the money he has made in athletics,” said Gaither, who has received six scholarship offers, including SJSU and University of Washington, which are his two top colleges that have sent offers. Gaither, who has averaged two touchdowns per game so far this season, also added that along with his athletic ability, Oliver’s academic status makes him even more valuable. Schimke said that out of the 16 years he has been head coach, Oliver is part of only two or three years where the team has had two way starters. He added that Oliver barely ever comes off the field and is a huge asset on the team. “I would say as a student, he pays attention to detail. As a player, I think he’s a lot like he is as a student. I mean, he’s gifted naturally; he’s got a God given talent, and he’s got size. He’s got long arms, he’s fast, he understands the game, and he’s a student of the game,” Schimke said. “I just think that he’s not resting on his laurels. He continues to try to get better and achieve. He’s not letting it get to his head. He’s a very humble person… I’m really proud of him for where he’s at.”
“I chose San Jose because it was close to home and I really like their coaching staff...I love their school and their programs...I’m not looking for other offers.” —Josh Oliver, 12
BEARCAT SPORTS UPDATE
Sports |
Cross-country is running full speed Varsity runners come back to the season itching to win by Dominique Rodriguez, Photographer
L
eaving the ‘13 season in 8th place in the state, the cross-country team is looking to make the ‘14 season stronger than ever. The team looks forward to reaching state this year and competing with every ounce of endurance they have. This year, they have six seniors that are pushing their way through the season as they also enter their last year of high school; the seniors this year are Zach Chamberlain, Sid Monge, Joseph Tognetti, Jake Taylor, Kevin Ohm, Claire Farrell, Maddi Moore, and Aly Kilcrease. The goal is to learn to employ a steady effort rather than set an even pace. “You can’t let any of your competition do anything to distract your pace, stride or focus,” junior Dru Irwin said. As excited as they are for the new season’s teammates, they are discouraged when they consider that they will be losing their seniors when they graduate in the 2015 class. “Since this is the best team we’ve had in decade, we’re training more and more everyday and looking for improvement,” senior Zach Chamberlain said. After Chamberlain ran 500 miles this summer, he’s trying to stay in shape for this season. Chamberlain has his own pump-up song that he listens to before every race: The Suburbs by Arcade Fire. Last year, Chamberlain ran a 13:10 2.5k and has started
the year off with a 12:55 in the 2.5k Arroyo Grande race. Sophomore Annie Meeder ran a 16:02 in her 5k at the Morro Bay race and is improving in her rankings since the previous year. “This is the best team for girls and boys that we’ve seen in a decade and it’s only going to get better from here.” Coach Ewing said. “I don’t sleep the night before a race and for some reason it makes me run faster,” Irwin said as she stretched for the Arroyo Grande invite race. The team has been experimenting with different diets and exercises to build up their performances. “Sometimes I have the girls yell at me for encouragement and it makes me angry, so I run faster, and then we laugh about the mean things they say over ice cream after the races.” Irwin said. Senior Maddi Moore wears her lucky sports bra to every race. Moore and fellow senior Claire Farrell both ran about 300 miles this summer, when they weren’t busy lifeguarding at the Ravine Waterpark. “At least when we weren’t running we were still working out.” Farrell said. The team has been looking into several ways to have some team bonding opportunities such as sleepovers, movie nights, and pool parties to make the seniors’ last year their best one.
KEEPING THE PACE: (above) Senior Cross Country runners Sid Monge, Zach Chamberlain, Jake Taylor, and junior Brandon Smith warming up during practice.
Kicking ace Six sophomores make their way onto girl’s varsity volleyball by Mae App, Indepth Co-Editor
A
fter coming away victorious for three out of three pre-games this season, the girl’s varsity volleyball team is off and firing with only one senior, five juniors and six sophomores to year’s team had seven seniors, __ juniors, and only one sophomore throughout their season and the average age was much higher. The six sophomores that have made their way onto varsity include middle blocker Kalyn Armstrong, right side hitter Nadeene Al Azzam, right side hitter Tegan Curren, outside hitter Maddie Mitchell, back right side hitter Coleen Wiest, and outside hitter Kiara Gable. “There’s so much more new talent there and they can play off of our maturity, because there are a lot of juniors too and I feel like they can mature more surrounded by older girls,” said junior and libero Riley Austin. Juniors Chloe Kerns and Riley Austin, along with senior Maddi Chace, have said the chemistry of this young varsity team is unbelievable; each sophomore has the opportunity to learn and gain experience from the upperclassmen through the fast-paced and advanced skill level that they have. Eight of the twelve players participate in club volleyball together, which gives them more time to expand their skills and play. The varying age range allows for the sophomores to have someone to look up to and help sculpt their skills as they make the transition to varsity volleyball. “Well it’s been a learning process for me. I’m not as experienced as the other players but when it comes down to it, I’ll be ready for anything. The girls and our coaches have been so supportive and I love the type of team where everyone’s looking out for each
other...I look up to them.” sophomore Nadeene Al Azzam said. With only one graduating player, the remaining 11 are all planning on playing next year, which gives them time to create rhythm with each other and within the game. This will allow them to become tighter, more efficient, and find each others’ weaknesses and strengths, and mold them into a well-oiled machine. “What they don’t know is they have the physical ability to be greater players, they just have to realize that. What’s really affecting that is their confidence level and believing in themselves,” Redongo said . Each player has time to work on their individual skills during their two hour practice every weekday on which they don’t have a game, but it’s not all strict and structured; the girls also know when to have some fun and let loose. “We all are really mature and know when to be serious, but we also know how to have fun and when the right time to be goofy is,” Kerns said. The upperclassmen, along with the coaches, are fully confident in the sophomores’ abilities to contribute to the teams success this season. Both are certain the sophomores will continue to improve upon their personal skill set as well as learn from the others and exceed their own expectations. “As a team we have some high, attainable goals this season,” Redongo said. “If they continue to work hard both in practice and during games along with applying the RISING TO THE TOP: (above) Sophomore Kiara Gable soars techniques and skills they are taught they’ll accomplish more than they think this season.” up to hit the ball over in a game against the Atascadero
Greyhoundson Sept. 18; the Bearcats are 8-5 so far this year
Photos by Lauren Wassam
Sports | 10.2.14 | crimsonweb.net |
37
| Sports
How well do you know Kohl Coffey?
Senior Kohl Coffey, varsity waterpolo player, sets the challenge to see who knows him best. Weighing in is teammate junior Mitchell Iunker, friend junior Tyler Vallejos, and coah Duane McRoy, who has coached Coffey since freshman year. by Maureen Pushea, Photography & Sports Co-Editor
Kohl Coffey
The Teammate: Mitchell Iunker
The Friend: Tyler Vallejos
The Coach: Duane McRoy
Favorite Movie? The Lone Survivor
Forrest Gump
Bruno
The Bourne Trilogy
Bacon-wrapped filet
Steak
Anything but peanuts
Favorite Food? Bacon-wrapped filet Last trip to the E.R.? My appendix burst Celebrity Crush? Kate Upton
To get his appendix removed
Appendix
Appendix removal
Jennifer Lawrence
Kate Upton
Taylor Swift
Doesn’t have one
Potato
Squirrely
“Who Gon Stop Me”
“So Good” by B.o.B
Anything by Led Zeppelin
His truck “Big Blue”
Corn Tortillas
His hair
Hot, smart, funny
Nice, respectable, shorter
She can swim & play practical jokes
Cy Quinn
Himself
Nick Reeves
Kohl’s Coffee
Toffee Creamer
Kohl Coffey’s Coffee
7/10
3/10
Nickname? Don’t have one Pump-up song? “Who Gon Stop Me” Wierd obsession? My truck Ideal qualities in a girl? Beauty, smarts, & personality Funniest person on the team? Myself
If you grew up to own a coffee shop what would you name it? Kohl’s Coffee
TOTAL: 38 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | Sports
1.5/10 Photos by Maureen Pushea
Sports |
4 for 4
Senior Cole Manske breaks tibia in four places during Cabrillo game by Jessica Cole, InDepth Co-Editor
T
he cheers of the crowd are sliced off as the scene unfolds before the crowd. The lighthearted fun of the game vanishes as his screams carries through the air. Senior Cole Manske suffered a gruesome leg injury with four minutes left during the fourth quarter of the Sept. 12 football game against Cabrillo High School. Though the Bearcats were winning 45-6 late in the game, crowd members couldn’t help but cover their eyes when Manske rolled to the side, clutching his leg. “I ran the ball out of shotgun up the middle of the field and was tackled by multiple defenders. I’m not 100 percent positive on how it happened but when I rolled out of the dog pile, I saw that my leg was rotated 90 degrees clockwise of where it should have been,” said Manske. Manske came on in relief of Christian Erickson, who ran the ball for the first two quarters of the game at Cabrillo High School. 16 carries and 80 yards after debuting, Manske was tackled by two Cabrillo defenders simultaneously. As a result, Manske’s tibia, or shin bone, was fractured in four places. Manske also tore a ligament, which released a fragment of his fibula, a bone that runs alongside his tibia into the inside of his leg. Athletic trainer Kelly Franks rushed onto the field as another physician “reduced” Manske’s leg by pulling the leg and then twisting it back into place. The procedure was rushed, because Manske was losing blood circulation in his foot, said student athletic trainer senior Cheyenne Longman, who was on the field with the EMTs and the athletic trainer. “It was my job to follow Mrs. Franks, so when she ran, I ran as fast as I could so that I could help in any way possible. At the moment, I didn’t really feel anything since there was so much going on that I didn’t have time to process it,
but afterwards it was kind of like a flood of all feelings mixed together. It was a great honor helping him because in someone’s time of need I feel like it’s always nice to have a peer there for you,” said Longman. Manske’s story is a common one on one level. Two million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations each year for high school athletes, and college athletes are three times less likely to be injured than high school athletes, according to Youth Sports Safety Statistics. But the campus bond among students who are rallying for his recovery and who honor his heroic night also make his story one-of-a-kind. Manske was driven in an ambulance to Santa Maria hospital, where doctors finished reducing the dislocation while Manske was sedated. To allow for the swelling to go down, surgery was not performed that night, but was scheduled for Sept. 17, at Sierra Vista Hospital. The surgery was to include plates, screws, and a rod fixed inside Manske’s leg to help with the stability and regrowth of his leg. However, after Manske had been put under anesthesia, the doctors discovered several blood blisters on his ankle. The operation was delayed, as there was too much of a risk of infection in the blisters. They treated the blisters while Manske remained under anesthesia, but woke him to explain that the surgery would have to be rescheduled, and reexamined him on Sept. 22. Manske will not be able to play again in his high school career, because he will be on crutches for six weeks after his surgery, and in a boot for six weeks after that. Yet, Manske remains optimistic. “I’m honored to be able to play with such a great group of guys. Our main goal is to go 1-0 each week, and achieve a team victory. It’s nice to hear that they are playing for a brother, and I am beyond honored that they have done this but as long as the win is accomplished as a unit I’ll be stoked.”
4 FOR 4: (top right) The Varsity ’Cats won their fourth consecutive game in honor of their teammate Cole Manske, number four. SHOWING SPIRIT: (top middle right) Cole shows his Bearcat pride during a lunchtime activity Friday Sept 7. STUNNED TO SILENCE: (middle right) The Varsity ’Cats show thier Manske pride after the game in which he was injured. REPPIN #4: (center) The boys show thier love for thier teammate who underwent surgery Thursday Spet 25 80 YARD GAME: (bottom) Manske ran the ball the night he was injured for a personal total of 80 yards against Cabrillo. Photos by Mariela Villa, Maureen Pushea, Carly Cargill , ad used with permission by Michael Balson
Sports | 10.2.14 | crimsonweb.net |
39
| Photo Essay
BEARCAT LIFE
Photos by Maureen Pushea, Lauren Wassam, Mariela Villa, Grant Schieffele, & Aly Kilcrease
40 | crimsonweb.net | 10.2.14 | Photo Essay
FRESHMAN SQUAD: (top left) Freshman football players showing pride before their game on Sept. 18. The frosh ’Cats beat the Templeton Eagles. RUNNIN’ AROUND: (top middle) Varsity Cross Country flag runners sprint across the field on Friday Sept. 19. The Varsity football team beat St. Joe 31-0 that night. AROUND THE WORLD: (top right) The International club poses for a pic while encouraging others to join during Club Expo on Thursday Sept 18 at lunch in the quad. SPEEDY FEET: (center) Sophomore Christian Erickson runs the ball during the game against Camarillo highschool on Friday Sept 7. SPIRIT FRIDAY: (right middle) Bearcats show their Crimson Crew spirit at lunch on Friday Sept 19. ICE COLD: (bottom left) Assistant Principal Erin Haley and teachers Jennifer Bedrosian and Marcy Goodnow drench themselves in ice cold water in support for ALS. GETTIN’ PUMPED: (bottom right) The Varsity volleyball team gets ready for their game against SLO on Sept 24. SETTING UP: (bottom center) Senior Wide receiver Bailey Gaither getting ready to run for a pass at the game on Sept 19.