June 2012

Crimson Volume 71 / 5.30.12 / Issue 7

senior

issue 2O12

sr. destinations

super sr. features sr. baby photos shoutouts sr. timeline teacher salutes then and now

The Student Newsmagazine of Paso Robles High School

801 Niblick Rd. Paso Robles, California

Crimson

May 30, 2012

Volume 71, Issue 7

ON THE COVER: Seniors Alex Ball, Allysha Newnam, and Brady Zubia and junior Noel Phillips stand as faces of solutions to identity questions. Read their stories on pages 1i—8i.

Photo illustration by Kim Boswell

Staying strong There is a unity unique to PRHS— a special brand of Bearcat strength that shines its brightest when the going gets tough and they get going.

editorial

Organ donation Anatomy classes have launched a campaign to get over 100 students on campus involved in something not only physical, but positive.

health opinion

Memetic mutation

14 The college experience

Memes and their full influence on so many groups in society is yet to too be seen, as these ever changing mutations morph themselves into the current trends.

Students departed on a two-day trip organized by AP English teacher Aaron Cantrell as a part of his growing business, CollegeTrips.org.

sci-tech

Special Edition Crimson investigates the problems students face and the teenagers who have overcome the odds and are breaking out of the mold.

02| Crimson 05.30.12

Photo by Kathryn Wingfield

@ crimsonnews.org

Paso Robles High School

center

Check in for weekly blogs, sports coverage and an updated calendar of events.

web www.crimsonnews.org

Q&A

News

NEXT

Class elections for 2012-2013 were the week of Monday, May 14.

What’s inside the presidents’ campaign?

We asked:

1. What does it mean to you to be a class president?

2.What are your goals as class president?

3. What is your favorite thing about PRHS and its students?

4. What are other experiences you have had as a leader?

Schmutz

with the 2012-2013 Presidents

Senior President, Joshua Jeter

1. It means a lot because it shows that my peers have confidence in me to be a good leader, to aebe a role model, and to impact our school in a positive way.

2. My goal as class president is to role model for my peers and to make next years Senior Celebration the best that it can be.

3. My favorite things about PRHS are the people I meet and the friendships I build.

4. I have been in leadership two times in the past and so I feel like I have a good idea if what it takes to be a good leader and to step into this role —Brielle Silletti, Business Team

Junior President, Devin Corea

1. It means a lot to be class president. It is a chance to get involved and have the ability to affect the student body.

2. My goal as junior class president is to help make next year as great as I can by communicating student wants and needs.

3. One of my favorite things is the spirit and pride of the school and student body.

4. I have previously held leadership positions in 4H as a teen leader.

Sophomore President, Brielynn Elliott

1. To me, being a class president means making your class happy to be at PRHS and having a good school with fun activities to make it memorable.

2. My goals are to be more into school activities, to make my class happy at the school and to make it memorable for each and every different person.

3. My favorite thing about PRHS is its ability to keep people happy and keeping people interested in school activities.

4. I have had experience being a captain in many different sports.

Photos by Aidan Farrell, Laura Callahan, and Nicolette Jolicoeur

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Paso Robles High School

Crimson 05.30.12 |

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News

Dance is saved; damage from cuts continues Dance is on for the 2012-2013 school year, following significant fears of the program being cut.

Cheer, dance, and leadership teacher Jennifer Bedrosian was notified May 22 that the district was returning her position to her, rescinding a March pink slip that had signaled the termination of the Advanced Dance program. Intermediate and Advanced Dance classes will still be offered to students this August, cheer will still have it’s iconic coach, and leadership will have the same influential and devoted teacher.

The news brought an epidemic of enthusiasm from many students.

“Mrs. Bedrosian is the most influential teacher I have had. How much she means to this school and me is immeasurable,” sophomore Emma Marsh said.

Senior Alex Lambirth felt dance was a bonding experience that allowed her to find people who felt the same way about the art of dance; she was a able to connect her two worlds of dance and school.

“Dance gave me, a person who doesn’t exactly enjoy school, a reason to get excited to go. It acted as an escape from reality and stress and was a way to express my creative side,” Lambirth said, who has been dancing for 15 years.

Nevertheless, PRHS students can still expect significant staff personnel loss.

Staff members who also received pink slips include American Sign Language (ASL) teacher Kay Vetter, ceramics teacher Kiley Wilson, , Counselor Xelina Rojas, English teacher Ruth EnriquezBaca, and social studies teacher Angela Logan. There is hope for a few of the teachers that this will not be the end of their teaching at PRHS , as positions will not be finalized until August.

Teachers are worried about the impact on students as well.

“My concern is the students missing opportunities,” said Wilson, who currently teaches ceramics but will be moved to the Spanish Department next year. His pink slip was rescinded the same day

SMILING WITH MRS. B: The advanced dance class poses with Mrs. B after a dance show rehearsal. The class was ecstatic to keep the program that gave them a place to “escape from reality.” Photo used with permission.

as Bedrosian’s.

AP Physics teacher Mark Fairbank agreed with Wilson. “We have lost our sign language teacher, one of our counselors, and the financial support for the athletic program. We are reducing the number of days to educate our children. We have reached a critical time.”

ASL will also no longer be offered to students, in spite of increased enrollment during the past years, forcing current ASL students to take the course at Cuestaor to switch to a different language.

Teacher losses are a function of the 27 percent of general funding cut by the state this year, according to Board Member Tim Gearhart. PRPS’s budget has also suffered its infamous accounting error, leading to a loss of $1.59 million.

“Teachers are being forced to teach subjects they have never taught to keep a job. Students suffer because of this,” Spanish teacher Jennifer Fuller stated. “All of this causes stress for a teacher as we are constantly looking up at the possible layoff notice that is always hanging over our heads.”

Furthermore, all teachers have undergone a six percent pay cut that will last over the next two years, and 32 teachers will be laid off district wide this year­­­­—six of which may come from PRHS. “Hopefully, we can start rebuilding what the State has forced us to cut,” Board member Tim Gearhart said. He believes financial stability achieved by cuts will create fewer layoffs and cutbacks in the near future. —Devin Corea, Reporter

107 to 25: Fighting sees remarkable decrease

Beloved band instructor passes away

Just two years ago, PRHS saw 107 students participate in on-campus fights during school hours. From 2010-2011, the number decreased to 97 students involved, and this year, the number shot down to a mere 25 students involved for over 2000 students enrolled.

With the noticeable decrease in misbehavior, the change can be attributed to several factors. Among these are the new cell phone policy, increased awareness of the law—as the consequences became more known—and a stepped up freshmen assimilation program.

Assistant Principal Ed Brown attributed the decrease in fights at school to increased awareness of the consequences. Just last year, a fight erupted once or more nearly every week. Additionally, around 2000 suspensions last year were written, as compared to this year’s 300.

“Kids in general have been really good with each other [this year],” said Brown.

He credited members of the freshman and sophomore classes, as well.

“In past years, the 9th graders have been pretty hard to handle, but this year, the fact in the matter is that the freshmen and sophomores don’t fight as much,” he said Brown, explaining that campus peace has increased as a result.

Beginning this year, the incoming freshmen were

After surviving 12 years of liposarcoma, cancer of the fat cells, Ken Elwood Schmutz passed away on March 29, 2012.

Schmutz played a major part of the music programs in the Paso Robles School District being many of PRHS students’ first music teacher in fourth grade on the recorder. He worked for the Paso Robles School District for 39 years, and for the last four years of his life, he taught St. Rose fourth-eight grade students music after retiring from Lewis.

“He has been a great source of knowledge, inspiration, and friendship for many who have lived in this area for decades. I know that he was the Band Director for many of the parents in this area, and many of my students had

04| Crimson 05.30.12

briefed on the goings of high school that made them feel more a part of the Bearcat family.

In 2011 Freshmen Orientation, students were separated into separate class rooms in groups, creating a more one on one environment, as opposed to a presentation in the gym to 500 students. In addition, every freshman signed a poster with a promise to graduate come 2015.

Freshman Zachary Chamberlain, felt that the poster “inspired me to do well in school and to do my best to graduate from high school.”

At the beginning of the year, Brown emphasized to the student body, over an announcement, the code on punishment. He reminded students that fighting at school is against the law, and students will be fined for it, in court. The increased awareness of the consequences, he said, has left many students questioning reasons to fight. “Fights used to be the ’normal’ thing, but now, fights are the exception,” said Brown.

Freshmen Bercelyn Vincente also felt that the new way of acceptance at school “made it seem that administration was there to help.”

“Personally, I am really proud of the kids for how well they have been treating each other,” Brown said.

—Aidan Farrell, Reporter, and Nicolette Jolicoeur, Managing Editor

him as their elementary music teacher,” said Santino Galvan, PRHS band director.

After going to Stanford Medical Center a multitude of times, his last moments rested in a hospital bed.

Schmutz’s memorial was held in the PRHS gym on Saturday April 21. The high school band and alumni played in honor of their beloved teacher. St. Rose also held a gathering of friends and family to express their gratitude.

“I just can’t believe he is gone. I still remember him teaching me Hot Cross Buns,” said sophomore Amanda Oliver, who played for him at Lewis.

—Courtney Thompson, A&E Editor

Mr. Schmutz was definitely one of the best band directors I have ever had. He not only fully exemplified what a band program should be, but also remained professional at all times. He was very motivating and always ensured that his band students produced the best music possible. He will be missed by all his peers and previous students.

—Alex Cushing, 11 Mr. Schmutz was always such a kind and loving person who took pride in each of his students. He would work on something again if one single student didn’t understand.

—Rhiannon Trumpore, 10

Paso Robles High School

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Editorial

Power to the people: NOT

Teachers request solar energy alternatives amid district concerns

by Analía Cabello, Reporter

A group of five Paso Robles High School teachers, Geoffrey Land, Gaylene Ewing, Mark DiMaggio, Aaron Cantrell, and David Krause, have banded together with the hope of installing solar panels atop shade structures in the campus’s parking lot. The solar panels would double as shade for parked cars and an alternate energy source for the school’s electrical needs, which currently add up to estimated $280,000 per year.

In pursuing a solar-powered campus, PRHS would be following the footsteps of neighboring San Luis Obispo County schools: San Luis Obispo High School, Morro Bay High School, Los Osos Middle School, and Laguna Middle School, who have already begun the installation process and, in the next 20 years, will have saved an estimated $6 to $8 million. The $7 million project—funded by Sun Edison, the company to whom the solar panels belong—aspires to shave $40,000 to $60,000 from the district’s electricity bill by the end of the first year, according to ksby.com.

There are no promises that results will mirror those of the SLO County schools; however, PRHS teachers wish to achieve a similar plan.

“We would hope to see solar panels in all the district’s school parking lots in order to greatly reduce or eliminate our dependence on energy sources that are more damaging to the environment,” said Land, listing coal, gas, and nuclear energy as a handful of these harmful sources.

To reach this goal, PRHS could sign a 20 year contractual agreement with a power company, such as Sun Edison. The power company would install solar panels at schools in Paso Robles Public Schools District; the panels would then supply energy to their grid, and PRPS District would buy the energy from them at a lower rate than they’re currently paying PG&E. Investing in a solar powered campus would profit the Paso Robles School District in many other ways,

as well.

“These solar panels will supplement our electrical needs, replacing part of the electricity we buy from PG&E,” said Krause. “This will save money for our school district. San Luis Coastal estimated a savings of $40,000 to $50,000 in the first year of operation of their solar array.”

He continued to explain using solar panels would cause a reduction in use of fossil energy—as well as in the carbon dioxide that would’ve been absorbed by the atmosphere—and taking a step toward lessening the school’s carbon footprint. PRHS would become a green campus, familiarizing its students with green technology such as solar energy.

However, though the prospect of an all-expensespaid project may sound appealing, there’s a possibility that the proposition could be too good to be true.

“Many companies all promise savings in a sales pitch, but won’t guarantee them in a contract,” said Director of Facilities and Operations Ashley Lightfoot. “As much as we would like solar power, our district cannot afford to pay more for solar power than we currently pay for line power.”

Lightfoot says that, although the district may appear to be the bad guy in this situation, this is not the case.

“We’ve been trying to find a reasonable solar solution for over four years now, and are currently involved with a smaller ‘proof of concept’ solar power project at the Culinary Academy. Despite what you might hear, [solar power] is not free, nor is it cheap.

The equipment costs a lot of money—something the district doesn’t have.”

The “proof of concept” project, expected to take approximately four months to build, became reality when a local solar company contacted the district about a year ago. The initial construction and installation of the panels hasn’t been set into motion yet, but the plan is to mount panel structures in the Culinary Academy parking lot and the bus parking area behind the academy, with the final goal of generating savings for the district.

Lightfoot highlights the district’s general mantra: proceed with caution.

“As much as we all want solar power, we have to be careful about how we obtain it.”

SMILING FOR THE SUNSHINE: Krause smiles for the camera outside of his classroom, a possible area for solar panels. Photo by Olivia Musial Photo illustration by Nicolette Jolicoeur

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Paso Robles High School

Crimson 05.30.12 |

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Editorial Solar Panels

PREVIOUS

PASO ROBLES FLAVOR: Various places including Studios on the Park will be open this summer. They are closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, open Thursday and Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m., and open Friday and Saturday from 12 to 9 p.m. Photos by Kathryn Wingfield

Summer shouldn’t be a bummer School may be over, but opportunities are just beginning

by Kathryn Wingfield, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Crimson Staff votes: Should a person strive over a summer break that could just be kick back?

Yes: 18

No: 4

C

There’s nothing like blinking awake at 6 a.m. the day after school ends and realizing you can do whatever you want. It’s a feeling cherished and looked forward to all year. Should you go back to sleep for another hour or two (or five)?

Should you head to the gym, the beach, or coffee with an old forgotten friend?

The possibilities are endless for the first time since August brought in the hectic days of sports, studies, and socialization. Students finally have the chance to spend their precious time on whatever they choose.

But summer’s long and luxurious days are full of golden hours that can be filled with anything under the shining sun—so don’t let them go to waste.

Senior Gaby Corona is a perfect example of what we mean. She joined Colorguard her junior year, attending two weeks of band camp practices from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to learn drills and practice choreography. She’s never regretted it.

“Sometimes it felt like a drag, but band camp was always a ton of fun,” Corona said, also a committed member of Ceramics and Drama. “Without those two weeks of extra practice we would have been incredibly behind for the first football game of the season,” she said.

But there’s more to Paso’s summer opportunities that reach beyond school activities and are nearly endless. Art enthusiasts can visit Studios on the Park’s numerous galleries, currently featuring “Local Color,” the signature exhibition of Festival of the Arts. Anyone in the giving mood can volunteer at Loaves and Fishes, a food bank always open to volunteers. The Carnegie Library holds extensive archives of Paso’s little known history waiting to be explored, a favorite activity of the late Wally Ohles. Anyone willing to find a way to get involved in Paso’s summer opportunities can easily find details at pasoroblesdowntown.org.

And almost everyone needs to start getting ready for the SAT. Or read a book.

“Look to the future! All of the work that you are putting into this thing that you love will pay off in the end,” Corona advised. “Don’t worry about what can go wrong, and always think of the possibilities.”

Whether you’re looking to help others, spending time on growing as an individual, or preparing for next year, summer’s open door is the perfect chance to take action. Don’t spend too much time holding the remote. Instead, take the reigns on what could be the most productive three months of your life.

newsmagazine Student Journalism at Paso Robles High School

Kathryn Wingfield Co-Editor-in-Chief Web Team

Megan Rodrigues Co-Editor-in-Chief Center Co-Editor

Emily Cone Managing Editor -Photography Photo Essay Editor

Shanna Dowling Amanda Hutchinson Managing Editor -Print Managing Editor -Web Center Co-Editor

Nicolette Jolicoeur Managing Editor -Staff News Editor

Jeff Mount Advisor

Kim Boswell

Devin Corea

Angela Lorenzo

Sierra Mosely

Josh Orcutt

Courtney Thompson

Analia Cabello

Clarisse Dart

Megan Luth

Kelly Munns

Lauren Rodrigues

Summer Volle

Laura Callahan

Aidan Farrell

Sydney Matteson

Olivia Musial

Sinéad Schouten

Sarah Wilson

Brielle Silletti

Special thanks to Marisa Martinez Jason Moscato

Front Page Editor

Reporter

Health Editor

Dakota Cleland Reporter

06 | Crimson 05.30.12

Reporter

Sci-Tech Co-Editor

Reporter

Jonathan Kisch Opinion Editor

World Editor

Food Editor

Graphic Designer

Ryan Morrison Art Guy

Graphic Designer

Editorial Editor

In-Depth Editor

Nikianne Ochoa Sci-Tech Co-Editor

Sports Co-Editor

Photographer

Sports Co-Editor

Business Team

Paso Robles High School

A&E Editor

Reporter

Feature Editor

Crimson is an independently funded, monthly publication of the journalism class at Paso Robles High School. We publish monthly newsmagazines free to students and teachers. Subscriptions are available for US mail delivery for $18.

Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the staff and do not necessarily reflect the views of Paso Robles High School, its faculty, administration, or students.

Crimson is an open forum for the exchange of ideas. We welcome feedback in form of letters or e-mails. Letters must be signed but names can be withheld upon request. All stories, graphics, typesetting, and layouts are completed by Paso Robles High School students. The staff actively pursues advertisement accounts but reserves the right to refuse those deemed overly controversial or aimed at illegal behavior. Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service. Crimson is designed using Adobe In-Design and Photoshop and prints with Atascadero News Co. PRHS • 801 Niblick Rd., Paso Robles, CA 93446 www.crimsonnews.org prhsjournalism@pasoschools.org (805) 237-3315 ext. 5601

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Pageant Girls

Gibson goes from member to mentor

by Laura Callahan, Health Editor

Senior is announced FFA State Officer

Standing on a stage in front of 4,000 people and wrapped in an embrace by fellow FFA state official hopefuls, senior Leah Gibson experienced a moment of serenity seconds before her name was announced as California’s FFA Vice President on April 22 in Fresno.

“Before the entire process, a part of Psalm 28:7, ‘The LORD is my strength’ and Philippians 4:13, ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me’ popped in my head, and whenever I got nervous or scared I would just repeat those over and over.

I had also been praying for peace inside, and the day of the announcement I felt really good inside because I knew I had given it my all. I was preparing for the worst and hoping for the best because I knew there was a plan for all of us. But, still right before they announced, we formed a big comforting circle, and I started bawling because that announcement determined my future,” Gibson said. She recalled a girl beside her crying during the ceremony because she didn’t make the cut.

Gibson’s state candidacy process consisted of an application screening which landed her an invitation to Fresno’s state convention. Once in Fresno, candidates went through tests and interviews. During the first session of the convention on Saturday, (April 21) night, candidates walked across the stage and introduced themselves, followed by the first cut. From then on until Sunday, April 22, more interviews were held and the winners announced that night.

“Being elected as the California State FFA Vice President is more than a title; it is a tremendous opportunity for service.

A life worth serving is a life worth living and as a state officer our primary goal for one year is to put others’ needs before our own. It's a time to be the voice for those who feel like they have none and to show people the importance behind Agriculture.

I am humbled by being chosen by the members and honored that I get the chance to be a part of their lives,” said Gibson, who joined FFA during her freshman year at PRHS. At the time she was involved in softball and volleyball but her passion for FFA grew so large that it soon became her sole extracurricular activity. She approximates that all her time working on FFA activities collectively adds up to about a year.

“She’s one of the members who can be counted on at any time to this section, this chapter, our region, and now our state. www.crimsonnews.org

She’s always been dedicated to the FFA. When you talk about mix their needs [in] with her own when making decisions on the leadership aspect, the animals, whatever it might be about what needs to get done and it just became very evident early on the FFA, she’s always been dedicated to it in making sure that that that was going to be something to carry on for her and that students have opportunities, as well as being able to grow,” lead her to the State office,” Pickard said. welding teacher Justin Pickard said, who accompanied Beyond state vice president, Gibson could apply to be a Gibson to state officer training in San Luis Obispo as well as national officer within the next two years if she wishes to do so. helped her with her prepared speeches.

Pickard believes that Gibson “isn’t short on ability or skill” and As an officer at the regional level for the past two years, Gibson that she “definitely has what it takes to make it to the national has played a pivotal role in planning activities and strategies at level as well.” However, Gibson is “trying not to think about it the chapter level. Last year Gibson helped increase attendance until [her] state office term is over so that [she] can focus on at each meeting, the largest of which welcomed 150 members. making the present as good as it can be.”

“She loves serving at the regional level but she never loses “My goal has been and will continue to be to effect people sight that she’s part of the Paso Robles FFA and [she] wants the through the FFA by being a genuine friend. Whether it’s stress students here to succeed as well,” Pickard said. at school, family issues at home, whatever it is, I strive to be an Next year Gibson will be living in Galt, Sacramento with encouragement to members. I five other state officers. She will travel throughout California am so excited to travel all visiting various chapters, teaching at high schools, and reaching around California and out to 80,000 FFA members as a state officer. the nation getting “It will be quite the adjustment having the opportunity to to know others’ influence [over 70,000] people but, Paso will always remain u n i q u e close to my heart,” said Gibson, who states that every three s t o r i e s , ” years state officials receive new rotations, and this year PRHS G i b s o n is on the list. “I am confident that my teammates who do visit said.

Paso will have a large positive impact on the members in Paso Robles FFA. It will be hard and challenging but rewarding.”

Gibson may be moving on to bigger and better things, but she will never forget Paso Robles.

“FFA has changed me in more ways than I can list. It has given me confidence to stand up for myself; it has taught me to appreciate and value people more than awards or superficial things, and directed me on a better path when I was going down,” said Gibson, who dealt with peer pressure in middle school. “Freshman year FFA was my safe haven away from all of that and completely changed me.”

Over the course of the last four years Gibson said she has learned life lessons through the FFA and also LEAH LEADS: (top) Senior Leah Gibson tears up as she takes her place at the breathed new life into the FFA in return.

“Her willingness to help other people [is podium as California’s FFA Vice President. Gibson has been in FFA for four years.

EMBRACE: (bottom) Six FFA leadership candidates pull together for her greatest strength]. She’s always willing to EMOTIONAL a group hug before the FFA state officials are announced. Chosen state officials will look out for chapter members,[and] friends, to hold office for one year. Photos by Hannah Testerman Paso Robles High School

Crimson 05.30.12

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Feature

QA Leah Gibson

PREVIOUS

&

FAIR

MIDSTATE

PAGEANT

GIRLS 2012

Q: What is your platform?

A:

Q: What is your platform?

A:

are you most excited and Q: What nervous about doing?

A:

ready Q: How are youforgetting everything?

A:

My platform is for Soldier’s Angels, it’s a non-profit organization where they send troops cards and care packages to try and make them feel loved and appreciated.

My platform is fighting teen and child depression and raising awareness about the disease.

I’m nervous for walking in heels. I can’t walk in heels to save my life, so that’s something to be nervous about. I’m excited for my prose; I might cry during it, but I’m excited because my cousin was in the military, so I might try and get him to come.

Little things, like washing my face extra well so I don’t start breaking out, or laying out in the sun longer, whitening my teeth; little things like that.

Did you ever go to the fair when you were little and see the Megan princesses? Do you have any memories like that?

Rodrigues,

Q: A:

I remember seeing Aaron Carter and the Queen came out, and she was so pretty and her dress was sparkling. Also, when I worked at the fair these past two years, the Queen and Princesses would walk right by my stand when they would go to meet the acts. It was fun to see their outfits match the theme of the band, and see them get excited to meet the bands.

12 Alexandria Lambirth, 12

are you keeping in Q: What mind as you get ready?

A:

I’m thinking about it less of a competition and more of a way for me to get more experience, cause I’m like meeting new people, and getting more involved with community, [and it’s] another dance routine I get to learn.

—Kathryn Wingfield, Co-Editor-in-Chief Photos by Lauren Rodrigues

08 | Crimson 05.30.12

Paso Robles High School

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Sophomore ® instructor shimmies in the spotlight

GodSquad

Zumba

DANCE, DANCE: Sophomore Emily Vallejos instructs Zumba® in front of a class of approximately 40 people.

Vallejos has been instructing Zumba® classes alone since May 10.

Photos by Ryan Morrison

Emily Vallejos teaches Zumba® at Kennedy Club Fitness

by Brielle Silletti, Business Team

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The wood paneled floor shakes as Emily Vallejos shouts, “Here we go!” through her microphone to over 40 people as she waves her arms side to side with as much vivacious energy at the ending of Flo Rida’s “Club Can’t Handle Me” that she had at the beginning.

A typical Zumba® class consists of about 17 Zumba songs. Vallejos instructs half of the class, or “shadows”, for 30 min. and has six songs she demonstrates to the class. Barb Kennedy, owner and founder of Kennedy Club Fitness,

17 songs 30 minutes 3 days a week 1 sophomore

approves each dance prior to being taught, while the other three songs she teaches using former instructors’ choreography. Thurs., May 10, and Fri., May 11, were Vallejos’ first classes teaching alone.

“This was awesome— all the dancing, music and energy in the class was incredible,” Vallejos said after taking Lisa Vallejos’ advice and attending a Zumba® class for her first time at the Paso Robles Kennedy. Vallejos attended one class per week for two to three months before asked to be an instructor. Kennedy spotted Vallejos during a two hour Zumbathon on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. During freestyle, Vallejos had the opportunity to dance in the center of the floor as fellow Zumba® dancers followed her moves. “Oh my god! I just need to give you a stage!” Kennedy proclaimed to Vallejos after the marathon ended. Lisa encouraged Vallejos to pursue her idea of teaching Zumba, and emailed Kennedy approximately two weeks later regarding employment. “ I feel alive from the participants’ energy.

They want to be there, have a good time and most of all feel good about their well being.

It’s such a positive environment! I’m so grateful to be able to share this experience

Zumba® instructor Paso Robles High School

with the class,” Vallejos said, who received Zumba® certification after attending an eight hour long training seminar in Upland, Calif., on Feb. 4.

Vallejos currently co-teaches hour long sessions Thursday through Saturday with instructors Shellee Willardson, Sarah Cardinali, and mentor Kennedy. Vallejos must have a total of nine of her own songs choreographed before she is promoted to teaching a full hour long class.

When Vallejos isn’t teaching Zumba®, she occupies her time with cheer, soccer, track and advanced dance throughout the year. She openly admits the difficulty of balancing all her extracurriculars with school. Her most recent venture was dancing in PRHS’ Dance Show “Remote,” appearing in seven dances.

Dance is a passion she’s cultivated since she was three-years old and has participated on and off with companies in jazz, ballet and tap. Costa Rican father Cecilio taught her to dance Salsa and Merengue to Latin music. Vallejos credits her quick learning of Zumba—which has a “Latin vibe”— to her upbringing. “I’m so grateful for my background,” Vallejos said, who goes to Costa Rica every year.

I feel alive from the participants’ energy.

It’s such a positive environment. | 09

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A&E Zumba

LET THERE BE DANCE: The members of the Grodsquad Dance Crew express their worship of God through their dance.

PREVIOUS

Dancing in the name of the lord Students form Christian dance group

by Olivia Musial, In-Depth Editor

A left turn off of South Main Street in Templeton between first and second street can lead you to a couple of locations, one of them being the restaurant Touch of Mexico, the other being the small, bright dance studio known as Main Street Dance. A left turn leads to a place where nine teenagers gather together in their passion for dance and faith in God. Collectively they are known as the God Squad Dance Crew and their drive has took them on a ride across San Luis Obispo county.

On any given Monday or Thursday night, the hot pink, neon green, and bright blue walls of Main Street Dance are not the only things vibrant with life. God Squad also lights up the room during their weekly rehearsals which are filled with the movements of dance and the worship of the Lord.

God Squad started in May 2010, when director and choreographer Jocelyn Willis was asked to perform at a women's retreat. Willis recruited some dancers she knew and thus God Squad performed their first dance at the retreat and grew up from there. Willis experienced more and more dancers who wanted to join the group along with churches who wanted the group to perform.

Eventually God Squad Dance Crew was made into a non-profit organization.

“We started with a women’s conference and it just grew. [Our] purpose is to share stories about God and faith through dance,” said Willis, who graduated from PRHS in 1999.

God Squad’s first year was spent mainly performing in churches and outreach programs while following their mission statement: ‘Sharing God’s love through music, dance, and testimony.’

After extending outside of the secular world, God Squad has grown to be home to nine central coast teens which includes PRHS students seniors Ashlee Juarez and Zoe Ruz, juniors Courtney Brock, McKenzie Brock, Tori Wilson, and Marina Perry, sophomores Omar Guillen and Dominique Norte, Atascadero High School sophomore Matisse Swanson, and home schooled Marco Acebo.

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“We are like a family. We are so close and that makes a difference. It’s given me a support group because they’re always here for me,” said Juarez of how God Squad has changed her life after she joined in May 2011.

Now, being director of God Squad has become Willis’ full time job and within that context she has seen crew members do amazing things.

“The best part is seeing high school students that want to represent God. Growing and praying in high school, it’s amazing. [They are] stepping out to do something that doesn’t look cool,” Willis said of her favorite part of directing God Squad.

Within the bounds of high school, God Squad members are advocates for their faith both within school and in everyday life.

“We try to show relatable problems and how we find God through [what’s] happening. Some people love what we do, and some people find ways to put us down,” Wilson said.

Over the past year the group has performed in several venues in their quest to show the love of God through dance. Along with performing at the Vine Street Victorian Showcase, the group also danced a Halloween flash mob in Templeton, at the Pioneer Day parade in Paso, and at a Venice Beach Outreach.

“As a group, I'm hoping we can grow spiritually and travel around the world and reach as many people we can and spread God's love,” Courtney Brock said. Brock joined the group in 8th grade as a way to combine her love of both dance and God. Throughout our community and throughout California, God Squad has worked to show the squad’s passion for dance and God in a unique combination of expressing their faith through the rhythm and moves of dance.

Paso Robles High School

Photos used with permission of Godsquad Dance Crew

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fantasy in a

A&E NEXT

Guys and Dolls

Senior Michael Colyer-Rose sketches the surreal

by Kelly Munns, Editorial Editor, and Sarah Wilson, Feature Editor

A stroke of the pencil upon off-white card stock paper: thus begins the turning over of fantasy to fantastic reality. In the magic of an hour, senior Michael Colyer-Rose brings fiction to life through art.

Colyer-Rose, seven-year art student and creative mastermind, is no stranger to imagination. Since the age of six, he has been enveloped in phantasmic worlds and imaginary inspiration. Immersed in movies starring mythical creatures such as centaurs and sea serpents, Colyer-Rose’s inspiration for art extended beyond the realms of reality.

During his high school career, Colyer-Rose enrolled in General Art 1 and 2 freshmen year, Drawing and Painting 1 and 2 sophomore year, Studio Art junior year, and AP Studio Art senior year. His years of experience started in his sixth grade art class at Lewis Middle School, but he claims to have found his passion in elementary school, where he began creating with stick figures and simplistic faces.

“My personal favorite kind of art to do blends a style of cartooning, anime, and a hint of realism,” Colyer-Rose said, who finds inspiration from late artist Frank Frazetta, famous for the dark fantasy genre, and different bands such as Persuader. “It’s always fictitious in nature, so there’s going to be something fantastic about it such as snake people or dragons.”

Colyer-Rose plans to go to the Art Institute of San Francisco for game art and design, and then hopefully work for Double Fine, a company that specializes in the development of video games.

Coyler-Rose has been a game enthusiast since the age of three. His gaming career started primarily with a Super Nintendo, but played almost every console that was invented afterwords.

“My ideas mainly revolve around character development and plotlines, but aren’t actually ideas for the technical parts of a game. My hope is to contribute my creativity to the gaming industry and see my creations come alive,” said Coyler-Rose. “[Art] constantly reminds me of my nature www.crimsonnews.org

as a perfectionist. If I can’t get something just right [and] how I want it, it usually ends up getting erased or thrown in the trash. It’s a pretty nice conversation starter and it helps me meet other eccentric artists around [campus],” Colyer-Rose said, who illustrates with the traditional pad of paper and a yellow number two pencil. Occasionally, other mediums will find their way into Colyer-Rose’s artwork, such as India ink pens for line-sharpening, a blending stick for shading, and high quality colored-pencils for coloring.

Currently, Colyer-Rose spends his time working on projects for his AP Studio Art class. Shortly before the end of the year, a portfolio is due that must contain 24 total works: 12 in the Breadth section and 12 in the Concentration section. The Breadth section calls for a variety of painting, drawing, and abstraction­. The other 12 pieces of art found in the Concentration section, require the artist find a theme that pulls all the works together and stick with a medium that suits him/her.

Art teacher Joshua Gwaizda has recognized Colyer-Rose’s talents and has high hopes for him.

“As an artist, [Colyer] is developing his own unique style of illustration which includes a great deal of thought about the characters he creates and the interaction between them and the environments he creates for them. Every piece he does is full of details that take the viewer into a whole new world and the mind of the artist,” Gwaizda said, who says ColyerRose puts 110% into every project through design concepts as well as execution.

Bartt Frey, Colyer-Rose’s fourth period ROP Computers teacher, praises Colyer-Rose for getting right to work everyday and not messing around.

“He has tremendous focus. He can let everything fall away around him and focus in on one thing,” Frey said, who describes Colyer-Rose as quiet but intelligent.

“His art is more than just looking at a picture. Each piece is a story with a past and a future,” Gwaizda said.

CREATING CHARACTERS: Senior Michael Coyler-Rose aspires to be a video game developer. He enjoys creating their past as well as developing the plot lines to determine their future. He has been playing video games since the age of three and will possibly be creating them in his near future.

Paso Robles High School

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A&E PREVIOUS

Artist of the Year

Avengers assemble amazing action flick Crimson marvels at ‘The Avengers’

by Dakota Cleland, Reporter New York City is under attack by aliens looking to take over the world. Who comes to the rescue but a giant, angry green man, a flying Viking, a man in a metallic suit of armor, two highly skilled assassins and a star spangled super soldier.

Does this deliver to the hype? It delivers in spades.

This movie has been on the horizon, having been foreshadowed in post-credits scenes after both “Iron Man” films, “Captain America,” “Thor,” and “The Incredible Hulk.” Over the course of four years and 601 minutes spread across five number-one box office films, Marvel Comics has been building up towards the superhero-stacked film, “The Avengers.”

This film has a lot going for it: written by “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” creator and former “X-Men” writer Joss Whedon, and starring Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson among many others.

The movie is centered around the Tesseract, an all powerful cosmic cube of sorts. The antagonist, Loki (Thor’s adopted brother, played by Tom Hiddleston), has captured it, and, along with an alien army he recruited to help his evil cause, is seeking to use its nearly unlimited power to take over Earth. In order to stop Loki from succeeding, director of secret spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division), Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) has formed the “Avengers Initiative”: a team of Earth’s mightiest heroes assembled to protect the Earth from forces no single being can.

The team is made up of six of the best heroes in the Marvel Comics universe. Leading the team are self-professed “genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist” Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.) and World War II era hero Captain America (Chris Evans). Serving as the muscles of the team are the hammer-wielding Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and the adrenaline fueled Incredible Hulk (played marvelously by Mark Ruffalo). To round off the team are the sultry but dangerous Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and the cold but calculating master archer Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner).

Seeing as this is a comic book movie, it’s loaded with action.

But what’s great about this movie is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. On a scale of seriousness from Christopher Nolan’s gritty Batman movies, to the overly campy 1960’s Batman movies with Adam West, “Avengers” falls in the middle. When I saw the midnight premiere of this movie, there were many moments when the audience laughed out loud.

Amid all of the tension in the intense action, the superheroes never forget their humanity. While Superman would’ve remained invincible and unrelatable, the Avengers have an emotional connection with the audience, which makes us root for them even more.

In the action moments, they showed clarity in what was going on. For example, in the big fight scene in, “Transformers 3”, there was an abundance of destruction going on and you couldn’t tell what was happening. Not in “The Avengers”. The camera work is clear and it travels at a frenetic pace to show energy, yet you know exactly who was doing what in the fight scene.

To me, this movie is simply perfect. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it will make you say, “Oh my god!” But most importantly, it will make you want more. After all, why else would “The Avengers” get the biggest box office opening weekend in North American history at $207 million? Five stars.

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Spring musical springs itself onto new stage Guys and Dolls shines in new VAPA facility

by Olivia Musial, In-Depth Editor

The chairs are new, with armrests and fixed seating so every movement of audience members isn’t heard around the theater.

Along with these new chairs comes something even greater: a new musical, filled with the promise of gambling, missionaries, and the thrill of New York City life. This is the new Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) theater and the drama department’s musical rendition of Guys and Dolls.

Based off the book, written by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling, Guys and Dolls, a contemporary musical, tells the story of two gambling crapshooters in New York City. Nathan Detroit, played by senior Monty Renfrow, is trying to find a spot for his infamous floating crap game while also being involved in a 14-year engagement to the chronically ill nightclub performer Adelaide, played by senior Trinity Smith. Detroit’s accomplice, Sky Masterson, played by junior Alex Delbar, is a slick, high-rolling gambler out to woo the upright missionary, Sarah Brown, senior Lindsay Reed, in the hopes of winning a bet, but instead falls in love with the woman set on reforming the gamblers of New York.

“I chose Guys and Dolls because it gives a great contrast from last year’s Seussical the Musical. Seussical was a contemporary musical with a pop sound, where Guys and Dolls is a true classical musical with a traditional storyline and musical theatre style music,” said director and drama teacher Marcy Goodnow.

Along with the arrival of the spring musical comes the arrival of the new VAPA building. Renovations on the theater began on June 20, 2011 and cost a total of $3 million, paid for by the passage of Measure T. Guys and Dolls will have the privilege of being the first show to be put on in the new theater which includes 238 new fixed seats, a 600 sq. foot lobby, two new patron bathrooms, an extended 1400 sq. ft stage, and two new dressing rooms.

“The senior part of our drama program has been waiting for this day [for] way too long. We all went in one day and just started crying. But no matter how much it has changed, it is still the same.

The home away from home you could call it,” senior and assistant director of Guys and Dolls, Shelby Reneau, said about the changes to the theater.

The renovations to the theater also took a toll on production of the musical in regards to rehearsal time and space. The cast, which included 43 actors, 10 crew members, two teachers/actors, two actors/crew members, one director/choreographer, one vocal director, and three orchestra members, has had to work around the lack of rehearsal space. Rehearsals, which started in February, Paso Robles High School

took place in Goodnow’s portable, the wrestling room, and the gym with only 15 days of rehearsal in the new theater.

“I am proud of it all. This doesn’t feel like a high school production, it feels professional. We have all had to be very flexible with construction. I have seen tech kids make it to the stage for the first time and very talented actors find out they actually can sing. It is truly inspiring to be their teacher and director,” Goodnow said of her hardworking cast and crew.

Regardless of production dilemmas, Guys and Dolls doesn’t disappoint, with ground-breaking performances by both veterans such as the slick Renfrow and newcomers such as football star and first-time performer senior Josh Skinner. “[Acting] is a lot similar to football; you have to dedicate yourself and commit to it. I’ve made so many new friends, and we are a family now,” said Skinner, who plays the high-roller Big Julie, a Chicago mobster with a raspy voice worthy of a shiver.

Guys and Dolls keeps comedy in mind while also wowing with musical renditions that astound from Smith’s tragic solo “Adelaide’s Lament,” a song about the troubles of the single woman, to the group number “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat” which included missionaries and gamblers singing in unison. Musically, Guys and Dolls stays true to traditional musical theater.

With its charming, slightly cheesy romances, awkward kisses, and mobsters, Guys and Dolls pleases with standout performances, heart-warming storylines, and the thrill and jazz of musical I’LL KNOW: Sarah Brown (senior Lindsay Reed) and Sky Masterson (junior Alex theater.

Delbar) sing to each other for the first time.

Above, sophomore Derek Menesez performs in his last PRHS production before moving to San LuisObispo High School next year.

Photos by Kim Boswell

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Opinion NEXT

Furlough days

Trending hipsters: how ironic A trend that is suddenly not cool

by Megan Luth, Food Editor

PRHS is a campus with a good amount of diversity, yet when it comes to the topic of hipsters, everyone seems at a loss to find a simple way to describe this subcategory of pop culture. When asked in a survey 36 different people came up with different responses as to what a hipster really is.

"Being cool before it was cool. Laughing in the face of mainstream," said sophomore Kelsey Vaughn, a hipster in the way of being someone just trying to get by in high school.

The phrase of ‘being cool before it was cool’ and ‘mainstream’ is what a hipster’s ideology is based upon. The real hipsters would be the ones who did it first and the ones who started a trend, but aren't asking or looking for the credit of starting it. The issue at hand is people are just pointing fingers at others with an image that the public has perceived as the hipster look, even though the premise of being a hipster is not putting effort into being anything or fitting a mold. In a survey, 24 out of 36 people say they perceive a hipster on style alone.

"A lot of it is how one dresses. "Hipster clothing" usually includes skinny jeans, retro-esque or "non-mainstream" shoes, iconic t-shirts, thick framed ray-ban type glasses, slouch beanies, scarves, et cetera," junior Alex Cushing said, a stereotyped hipster for having retro glasses.

These "scenesters," another term for the overused label of ‘hipster,’

believe in the idea of not using what isn't needed and doing with what you already have. The most frequent misconception to this group is that if a person thinks they are a hipster and labels themself that, then they are not a hipster because they are already trying too hard by feeling the need to put a label on themself. Putting labels on people is what the world is already doing to each other and that defies the true ideology of being a hipster.

"We are all hipsters! We are too trendy; we can't even escape ourselves. — Kurt Cobain," senior Shelby Reneau said when discussing her view on this controversial and sarcastic topic.

This word hipster contradicts itself because it has become so mainstream. You walk around campus and ask a student what a hipster is and they point fingers at the boy in an indie-band tee or a girl with a pair of window pane glasses and high waisted shorts. Is it the fashion, music, or personality that labels a person to be a hipster? Or is it all three?

This category of people isn't simple minded teens trying to be cool without trying, it goes deeper than that. The classification given to this select group is that they are truly deep thinkers just trying to find themselves. The irony is that even when a hipster thinks they are original there are really hundreds of other people just like them out in the world. So enough of the fuss over what is mainstream or not, there is a little hipster in everyone because who wouldn't want to be cool and trendy while not really being cool or trendy.

Graphic illustrations by Ryan Morrison

Courtney’s Column

I just miss the past: a nostalgic ‘90s moment

by Courtney Thompson, A&E Editor What happened to quality shows like Rugrats, Rocko’s Modern Life, etc.? Did they just go poof and become non-existent to the world? Oh well though, right. They have been replaced. Yeah, because I would much rather see an orange troll dance in Jersey than the television shows of my childhood.

After pondering what I miss most about the ‘90s, I realized it is all those little things that form this vision of greatness in my mind. I mean, I miss those stupid slap bracelets; I miss those freaky troll dolls with hair a multitude of colors; I even miss all the Beanie Babies they used to sell.

I remember my cousin, who is now 22 now, bring a laundry basket full of beanie babies everywhere with her. Thinking back, I can see the absurdity of the situation, but I can still feel all that jealousy creeping up from the depths of my soul when I remember all of their arms sticking out of the holes in that basket. That pink unicorn should have been mine.

I guess this is just my nostalgia talking though because in the ‘90s, when I was four or five, it felt like an easier time. That being said, the most crucial thing I did in my past time was pick lint from in between my toes, but that is irrelevant. There are so many things that future generations are going

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to miss that we, the children of the ‘90s, got to enjoy.

I am also pretty sure that the ‘90s were hecka-off-the-chain dawg. Now I am not saying everything from the ‘90s should be relived now, because there were some freaky things going on back then: Furbies.

Their furry body with plastic blinking eyes and when they would come to life, they would speak in a high nasally voice saying “I love you!” or “let’s be friends.” Even when you were not playing with them, in the middle of the night, while finally getting to sleep, two years later, you would here that little voice: “You want to play?”

I am going to be honest here. Maybe it isn’t so much the ‘90s that I miss but the memories that accompanied them. Winston Groom, an American novelist, said, “If your gonna screw up, do it while you're young. Older you get, the harder it is to bounce back.”

Maybe it is just the fact that every time I screw up now, it effects my future. Each choice has a consequence. Whether or not we know what they are going to be, we don’t. Only when we make them do we find out how it effected the future. Quite frankly, I do not like that feeling of uncertainty.

Paso Robles High School

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Opinion Hipster

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Furlough days cut into education

Furlough days hurt PRHS more than they help

by Sierra Mosely, Graphic Designer

With a puts the Paso Robles district among districts in 27 percent California with 176 days of school, one of the reduction of lowest number of class days in the year. With state revenues less class time than most of the nation, how over the past will students be able to compete? “That affects four years, everybody. Yeah, it affects everything,” Mr. Paso’s district Arnette said. is seriously hurting. To slash costs, the district Yes, it is true that these six vacation days has turned to furlough days to save money. are pleasant ways to ease into summer. Many Calendaring six days this year and 12 days next students will be enjoying the sunshine with school year, this extra break time is the district’s friends or easing into a chair to chat on way to cut spending and stretch every dollar. Facebook. Students and teachers alike do get This year, furloughs result in a $650 a month more vacation time. Who wouldn’t want that? pay reduction for teachers on average.

The free time from school has many students Furlough days only hurt the school with the rejoicing, but the reality is that the furlough loss of valuable class time, increased pressure days are falsely promising. on teachers, and reduced studying time.

With upcoming AP tests and end-of-year These organizational nuisances cause exams, many students will not have much headaches for teachers and students alike. time to relax. There will be “less time for test Bearkittens teacher Brenda Matthysse must prep, such as for the AP tests, and less time adjust the Bearkittens schedule for the rest of for important class work like cat dissections, the school year to accommodate the furlough with which we can't afford to lose time” an days. This is no small feat. Bearkittens has anonymous student said. children on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, Not to mention that many of the AP tests which means that all six furlough days will are actually on furlough days, which means disrupt a day with the children. that the students and teachers administering “It’s really complicated for all of the families the tests must come to school anyways. When trying to adjust to that,” Matthysse said. Her six 70 minute AP seminar classes are lost, the students also lose time to plan Bearkittens students get behind, and scores suffer. activities and theme days, which not only affect Many students, such as sophomore their grade, but also will challenge their ability Jennifer Adamson, are also troubled about to supply fun activities for the Bearkittens. the extended breaks.

“Furlough days have definitely affected a “I mean, they’re great because you get a day program like this,” Matthysse said. Math, off, but at the same time you don’t get enough science, and electives are all suffering from the time to learn. Plus, the teachers are all stressed negative impact of furlough days. out.” Furlough days force 2,100 minutes of class May is one of the more critical months of down the drain. This is not just a little break school; the AP testing and preparation for finals from school, this is a serious cut to education are just too important to undermine. “[The time. furlough days] affect the amount of curriculum Although furlough days seem like a quick fix taught,” English teacher Steve Arnette said. for Paso’s budget issues, their image falls apart “There is no way the teachers can cover it.” underneath the surface. Furlough days take so The trimester system that has been in place much out of school that they simply aren’t a since 2009 has already cut the number of school productive solution. PRHS ought to find a new days in the district. With the furloughs, six way to justify the budget, because furlough more valuable days are being thrown away. This days just aren’t worth the trouble.

Con

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Furlough is the way to go

Days off give breathing room for everyone

by Dakota Cleland, Reporter

There’s an teachers, perhaps our most valuable asset. old cliché that But the district is at least aware of what they states that are doing, as opposed to being cold and drastic times heartless. call for drastic “We do realize this is a sacrifice for measures. But both the teachers and students, including in a time where the school district is in dire their families,” Paso Robles School Board need of saving as much money as it possibly Trustee Katy Griffin said. can, we have to bite the bullet. Not everyone Furthermore, the school district benefits likes the idea of a furlough day, but it’s the from furlough days, because it saves it money best option we’ve got, because the other ever since it got into negative certification, alternatives to save money could be much which means that the Paso Robles Joint worse for teachers and students alike.

Unified school district was predicted as For some students, especially those who unable to meet the budget for the 2011have had hard schedules this whole year, the 2012 school year. This also helps the district idea of a few extra days off sounds like music out since they don’t need to fire as much of to their teenage ears. Even furlough days are your favorite teachers because they need to beneficial to those on the opposing end of cut back. But perhaps most important of the spectrum of academic success. all, furlough days are absolutely essential to “These furlough days have been a lifesaver avoid our school district from being taken for me. Before, I had a 17 percent in English over by the state of California. because I was too lazy and I never turned in “In these tough economic times, it is not anything. But with these furlough day, I was easy to just go get another job. What some able to do my late work and sleep in too,” an people don't recognize is that we are also anonymous senior said. the largest employer in Paso Robles. What Teachers however may not necessarily we do affects not just our employees but the favor such an option, since they’re not entire economic base of our community,” getting paid on these days off, and they’re fellow trustee Field Gibson said. still getting a six percent pay cut, but at least Furlough may not be the best, because it’s better than not having a job. In addition there is less time to learn in the classroom, they end up having an extra day off to grade but the effects of a furlough day are much less students’ work, plan their curricula around permanent than unemployment. Besides, the truncated schedule, and maybe even we ought to not be bitter and should turn a have a moment to spend some free time negative into a positive and put our days off with family and friends. to good, worthwhile use.

“I would definitely not prefer the furlough days, but I think there’s really no choice about it. It’s something that we had to do, and there really wasn’t too many options here. I’m making the best out of my days, furlough or not,” math teacher Mike Serpa said about the tough situation teachers are in.

Graphic illustration by Sierra Mosely Admittedly, salary cuts have hurt our

Pro

Paso Robles High School

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In-Depth NEXT

Ohles

Breaking the mold

Students and alumni reflect on the issue of sexuality

by Shanna Dowling, Managing Editor

“There was a point in high school where I’d rather be dead than gay,” 2001 PRHS graduate Heather Hendershot said.

But today, she “wouldn’t go back into the closet for anything.”

As a four-year varsity soccer player, Hendershot blocked shot after shot as a defense player and goal-keeper, but it was assailings off the field that left a deep scar on her high school years.

From as early as second grade, she knew she was different from her female peers.

“I grew up playing sports with boys, but I just saw them as friends,” Hendershot said. “In third grade I remember thinking to myself, ‘I’m not going to marry a boy when I grow up.’”

Though she did not reveal that she was a lesbian until the age of 20, Hendershot’s “comfort-over-fashion” clothing style and a lack of interest in her male counterparts attracted tactless verbal abuse from peers who called her “dyke” and “gay.”

In one incident, a male summer school teacher participated as well. Classmates interrupted Hendershot with belittling remarks, to which her instructor replied, “What, is that offensive? It’s true, isn’t it?”

The memory has become a landmark for her.

“The discrimination was coming from an adult www.crimsonnews.org

Heather Hendershot

who was supposed to protect me and he didn’t. I felt betrayed,” she said.

Isolated from her fellow Bearcats and from a faith that she says told her “being gay is wrong,” Hendershot began injuring herself to alleviate her pain, she overcome her struggles with self-injury through a realization that in harming herself, she was hurting those who truly loved her.

Eleven years out of high school, she is still “finding Heather and all that encompasses,” but has openly been in a relationship with a female partner for the past five and a half years. Growing up in small-town Paso Robles, an often conservative place according to Hendershot, the disparaging remarks have not disappeared, though “those words don’t sting [her] as much as they did in high school.”

But for senior Samantha Simon, the impact of judgmental peers is still being felt.

“I had a friend I knew since third grade stop talking to me because I like the same gender,” Simon said. “She freaked out and started saying things like ‘You’ve spent the night at my house and you like girls?’ That’s probably the hardest thing.”

Simon came out to her friends two years ago, but has yet to reveal her same-sex preference to her parents.

“I’m afraid that my parents will be disappointed that I’m not quote­-unquote normal,” she said.

While 55 percent of 240 students surveyed report feeling that PRHS is a safe place for LGBT students, one student referred to

these students as “queers” and “creeps” while 30 others witness these types of discrimination often or extremely often on campus.

“Some were jokes, but the other person didn’t find it funny,” one student said. “It made me feel unloved,” another answered.

To some, the campus remains safe for LGBT students.

Sophomore Benjamin Butterfield feels that “despite some weak, weak bullying, people are generally not targeted for their sexual orientation.”

However, the existence of targeted bullying on campus is very real to freshman Austin Molon, who witnesses discrimination both personally and otherwise up to 20 times a week.

“The kids here were raised around country—country people don’t like gay people,” he said, adding that increased views of homosexuality as a “trend” add to allegations that students are “faking,” leading to further prejudice.

Echoing this perspective, one survey response described Paso Robles as a “town full of hicks and rednecks,” making it unsafe for individuals who identify as LGBT. Adolescence can be a trying time, especially for teens struggling with gender confusion and sexuality, but Hendershot confirms that it can be conquered.

“It sounds corny,” she said, “but it’s not a lie: things really do get better. There are other people out there who are in the same boat, whether you know it or not; not everyone out there hates you because of who you love.”

Photos by Olivia Musial and Shanna Dowling

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Ohles LGBT teens

PREVIOUS

“Fond hearts turning ever...”

Beloved teacher leaves historic impression on community and campus

by Megan Rodrigues, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Tube socks, shorts, a crimson shirt and a smile so bright it can could be seen from the quad to the front stairs of the 100 building-- drivers education teacher Wally Ohles was a Bearcat of true spirit with every shuffling step he took from 1969 to 2012.

After fighting to regain his health after a diabetic episodePhoto byrenaming the new English building after the teacher. In an hour Maria Petiy that left the teacher of 43 years to multiple hospital visits and the group had over 200 friends, and by late May over 3,000 residence at the Bayside Care Center in Morro Bay, Paso Robles people supported the renaming. The school has erected a bird lost the Bearcat champion of spirit on Wednesday, Apr. 30. He bath and boulder in the memory of Ohles. was oldest known surviving teacher from his era, known for “Within hours, heartfelt messages came pouring in and the his crimson-colored attire, substitute teaching, and tireless support and efforts from so many has brought the old Bearcat commitment to PRHS athletics, including cross country, Pride back into my heart,” Mrs. Erb said, who gives credit to football, water polo, wrestling and swimming.

Gidcumb for first coming up with the idea.

His teaching career reached back to the Sixties.

The more than 3,000 group members, teachers, students, The importance of Ohles’ mark on the school and community alumni, parents and community members clearly believe Ohles was symbolized Friday, May 11, 2012 with a memorial walk and deserves the honors. an estimated 200 mourners at his ceremony at the San Miguel Spanish teacher Jennifer Fuller testified to Ohles’ kindness Mission. as she wrote on the wall of the group, “Not many people are as Ohles’s dedication to PRHS through athletics and teaching caring as he was. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. led to a Facebook group dedicated to the renaming of the new He tried to give my daughter his favorite Spongebob blanket.”

1000 building after his legacy. The support behind keeping Fuller, along with dozens of current and former students, Ohles memory alive was seen at his memorial service. retired teachers, administration and members of the community Senior Mackenzie Erb began swimming her sophomore walked in solidarity in “Wally’s Last Walk” down Spring St. year under the wing of Coach Mara Spencer -- and the cheers May 11, 2012 from Rabobank to Flamson Middle School. The of Ohles at every home swim meet. Two years later, after being mourners followed a black horse-drawn carriage donated by in and out of the Bayside Care Center throughout the season, Harris Stage Lines, which carried Ohles’ casket draped with the Ohles made it to Erb’s final home swim meet against Righetti American he earned as a Army veteran in the 1960s. on April 20.

The walk, organized by former PE teacher Shannon Gidcumb “I knew he was where he needed to be: the swim meets are ended at the first campus where Ohles taught when in 1967 the his home. Every single one of the swimmers loved Mr. Ohles,” junior high used to be the high school.

Erb said.

Alumni Katherine Michel participated in the walk.

Swimmer and parents alike knew Ohles would volunteer to “Whenever I think about him, I picture him on the sidelines of time the events and root for the aquatic cats every home meet. a football game with his beanie on and his arms crossed with one “He was our swimming dad, always there to give you a high hand up so he could rest his chin on it. Or at a wrestling match, five and support,” Erb said. or even just at an assembly standing like that,” Michel said. “He Mackenzie’s mother, Sheila Erb, class of 1983, was a student was [the biggest] Bearcat fan ever. I saw him at every sporting and friend of Ohles. Mrs. Erb took care of Ohles in his last event, so I thought I could give back and walk for him.” couple days in Morro Bay, and managed the care of his memory As the crowd walked down the main thoroughfare, drivers in the weeks following his death. stopped in the middle of the street, removing their hats and Testifying to his love for PRHS and his students, Mrs.. Erb solemnly watching the walk. In front of DK’s Donuts, 17 people shared a memory from one of her last visits with the eternal stood and watched. A father put his hand on his son’s shoulder Bearcat. as the carriage traveled seven feet away from him. The mourners “Ohles said in one of my last visits with him, ‘These students arrived at War Memorial Stadium at Flamson, observed a are my soul and I cry happy tears when I hear of the successes in moment of silence, and sang the Alma Mater with their right their lives!’” index fingers pointed to the sky.

Mrs. Erb created a Facebook group that campaigned for the By 10 a.m., mourners made their way to San Miguel Mission,

16 | Crimson 05.30.12

Paso Robles High School

Photo by Maria Petiy

sat in pews, and the funeral began for an estimated 400 people.

Some had to stand outside.

Father Larry Gosselin and Deacon Edward Callahan, father of junior Laura Callahan and three older Callahan graduates from PRHS, led the mass. Greig Welch, a former student and colleague of Ohles, spoke a eulogy. Welch served as PRHS principal from 1999 to 2004.

“First he was unique, I used to tell him he would march to the beat of a different saxaphone....He worried about others as he worried about himself. Wally was a lifelong teacher, not because he taught you how to do a left turn the best way but he constantly demonstrated to anyone and everyone young and old how to care for others, how to think and act and how to live your life with humility. He was quoted in a recent newspaper article saying the following, I’ve always been a teacher he said, and I’ve always considered myself a public servant,” Welch spoke.

Gosselin agreed. “[Ohles was a] man of something bigger than life,” Gosselin said in his homily. “[As a teacher, Ohles] was a master craftsman of people.”

Both Welch and Fuller commented that former security guard, Noreen Bridge played a large part of Ohles’ life. Whenever Ohles needed help, the first thing everyone said was to “call Noreen.”

Bridge stood by his side and helped arrange Ohles funeral arrangements.

The setting of the memorial in a sacred mission reflected Ohles’ love for history and the spirit he presented as a father of PRHS. “It was an honor to be included in the funeral liturgy of such a saintly man. I enjoyed ministering to him when he was in the hospital. He was a teacher even then,” Callahan said.

Outside of the Mission’s doors stood the Bearcat mascot, standing there for Ohles just as the man himself did for PRHS. “I felt like I was meant to be there to represent the high school and [his] spirit, I wanted to wear the uniform for him because I know how proud he was to be part of the school. Mr. Ohles was the one and only true bearcat,” said mascot Shay Diprima who received hugs and gratitude from individuals at the service.

“He is the epitome of Bearcat pride,” said Assistant Principal Ed Brown. www.crimsonnews.org

Following a Bearcat

Ohles NEXT

Senior Section

A timeline of Wally Ohles’ life

by Olivia Musial, In- Depth Editor

November 19, 1938: He was born in Klamath River Indian Nation in Northern California

1950s: Ohles graduated from Anderson Union High School and later graduated from Portland University in Oregon.

1948: He enjoyed recalling when he and the school band welcomed President Harry Truman’s Whistle Stop Campaign Train during the 1948 presidential election, according to the SLO Tribune.

1960’s: During the height of Cold War, Ohles served in the U.S. Army.

As an adult, Ohles converted to the Catholic faith and remained a devoted servant of Christ for the rest of his life. He was a parishoner at the San Miguel Mission.

1969: Honorable military discharge.

1992: Retired from teaching at PRHS

1969: He began working as a history teacher at Paso Robles High School on Spring Street.

2000: Ohles returned from his retirement to teach driver’s education at PRHS.

1992-1997: During his retirement, Ohles wrote novel, The Lands of Mission San Miguel, about the history of San Miguel over a five year period.

April 27, 2012: Throughout his teaching career Ohles supported PRHS Athletics.

“The great thing about Bearcats is that we don’t need to brag- we just show up and show them what we can do,” Ohles said to the Paso Press at swim prelims.

THE LIFE OF OHLES: Wally Ohles dedicated his life to helping others through his career as a teacher and his time in the Army.

Above are pictures taken from the El Roble yearbook from the 1960s, his passport picture when he was a young man, Ohles as a child, his military portrait and finally a picture of Ohles and his mother. Photos used with permission of El Roble yearbook and photos courtest of Priscilla Young

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Paso Robles High School

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Paso Robles High School

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Favorite food: Fettucine alfredo Favorite game: The Game of Life Favorite movie: “Blazing Saddles” Favorite place: Pismo Beach Planned Career: Child service case worker

Favorite food: Pizza

Favorite game: “Pokemon”

Favorite movie: “Rugrats, the

Movie”

Favorite place: Playground

Dream job: Ninja

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Favorite food: Mac n’ cheese Favorite game: Monopoly Favorite movie: “Aladdin” Favorite place: School Dream job: Hairdresser

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Favorite food: In-n-Out Favorite game: Assassin Favorite movie: “Zombieland” Favorite place: Not school Planned Career: CHP officer

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Favorite food: Sushi Favorite game: Halo Favorite movie: Jurassic Park Favorite place: Alaska Dream job: Videogame designer

NOW

NOW

we pick our favorites and decide our futures, absolutely sure that we will never change our minds. But as we grow up, those decisions tend to evolve. Crimson asked graduating seniors to compare their favorite things and career ideas as kids to those same categories today.

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Senior NEXT

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Favorite food: Sushi Favorite game: Fugitive Favorite movie: “The Tree of Life” Favorite place: Beach Planned career: Astrophysicist or musician

Crimson 05.30.12

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Senior Then and NowPREVIOUS

FFA generates greatness Student leaders wrap up their FFA careers

by Nicolette Jolicoeur, Managing Editor

Strolling up to the newly renovated 1000 AG building, you’ll see the new platform for memories to be made. But the FFA part of the senior class of 2012 will forever cherish the 600 building, their old home. With a new school year just around the corner, FFA makes preparations for next year.

Seniors Vince Garcia and Hannah Testerman have called FFA home since they were freshman in former Ag teacher Gabe Ponce’s class. The agriculture family appealed to them, and has led both students to create memories with FFA and receive awards for their talent.

Vince has won third High Individual at Fowler Field Day for table grapes, second High Individual in swine at MJC Field Day, sixth in showmanship his first year showing pigs, and received his state Vince FFA degree.

Gar cia “I think that is the most important to me because it has taken the most time and effort Unlike to receive it. I had to earn over $1,000 in SAE’s Shaggy, [Supervised Agricultural Experience] and keep active records of all of them,” Garcia said, Vince who knew his freshman year that his future Garcia isn’t years would consist of FFA. scared to face a “I think to be great in FFA all you creature bigger have to do is be passionate! You get out than himself. o f this organization what you put into it!

It takes Skills

by Summer Volle, Reporter, and Analia Cabello, Reporter

Thunderous applause from a sea of red jackets and white shirts broke the suspenseful silence, shaking the Town & Country Resort and Conference Center as bronze, silver, and gold medalists from each of the 94 categories squeezed through rows of folding chairs and ascended six steps to the stage. Some of the medalists were awarded scholarships, while others were awarded tools, but all came away with a sense of outstanding accomplishment. Amid the talent, three seniors stand out from the rest: Carson Gorman, Davey Mills, and Christopher Kleinman.

Although law enforcement is a skill that runs on his mother’s side of the family, Gorman

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20 | Crimson 05.30.12

” Testerman recommended, who is attending Modesto Junior College, along with Garcia.

Testerman admits that she joined FFA because her three older siblings were participants.

But eventually her drive pushed her into FFA stardom.

“As a freshman I had no idea I would be so involved. I was so wrapped up in what other people thought about me that I didn’t want to ruin my image, but once Mr. Ponce pushed me to become involved I realized it was so much more than just cows and pigs. It completely changed my life and made me the person I am today,” Testerman said.

These seniors have paved a path of excellence for the younger generations. Freshman Nathanael Bourgault says that they have taught him to always give 100 percent.

“They have taught me a lot but mainly to always try my hardest to accomplish my goals and be a good leader, but also to have lots of fun and enjoy the time we have in the FFA,” Bourgault says, who is this year’s greenhand president and plans to run for chapter officer next year.

With only a few days left of their PRHS experience, these FFA officers have become nostalgic about the past and what they’re leaving behind.

“As a class I think that we have left the legacy

of not caring what other people would think of us and just following the dreams that we have for ourselves. We are a hardworking and dedicated group and I really hope that when people think back they remember our class as a group of people that just wanted to make a difference,” Testerman reported of the class with the first state officer, Leah Gibson, since 2002.

Garcia, who will be studying viticulture next year, has advice for those who desire to be committed to FFA. “You’ve just got to be involved.

Milk it for what it’s worth. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and do things you’re not used to.”

Although the following rman este years will be prosperous for the T ah FFA program, the class of 2012 nn a will always be remembered.

H Garcia and Testerman Hannah Testerman have led the FFA program and Daphne both to future prosperity. get things done with a smile on their face.

Skills USA sends seniors off to their extended careers said competing in Skills “opened [my] eyes to the mental part of law enforcement as well as confirming that that’s the career I want to pursue.”

To receive his medal in San Diego, Gorman had to take a test and present a skill in law enforcement. Gorman admitted that he didn’t really know where his interest came from, but explained, “I’m pursuing a degree in it because I promised my parents I would get a degree and I may as well study what interests me.”

Kleinman’s talent for the rumble of an engine and screech of two tires has carried him far in his high school career and will continue to do so in the future.

Kleinman is a two-year contestant who won gold at the 2011 Skills USA California State Conference and bronze at the National Leadership and Skills Conference, earning him a scholarship to Wyotech and a full ride scholarship to Universal Technical Institute: Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, his ultimate chocie.

Kleinman first discovered his love for managing the mechanics of motorcycles at the age of 12 while helping his friend clean out the carburetor of a small ct70.

“I love riding motorcycles because it’s such an amazing sense of freedom,” Kleinman commented. “You don’t feel like you’re driving a motorcycle, but it’s a sort of extension of yourself, like it’s part of you.”

Mills joined Gorman and Kleinman in San Diego for the Skills USA State Conference, where he competed in Plumbing and beat out three of the other contestants for a gold medal.

The competition was conducted in a large parking lot, where the contestants were each assigned a platform and a task: set up a sink and a toilet. Each competitor was given the necessary Paso Robles High School

materials, including a PVC and copper pipe.

In keeping with the stereotypical idea that young boys hold a passion for dancing with danger, Mills prefers plumbing because he gets to play with fire. Mills uses a blowtorch to solder, which is working with metal and wood, and design his gold-awarded piping arrangement. Even after a few close calls with the flame-spewing welding tool, Mills’s future plumbing plans are still very much intact.

Mills has acquired an apprenticeship with Russell’s Plumbing in Morro Bay, starting with a pay of $15 an hour.

“I told [an Ace Hardware employee] about Skills USA and everything I was doing,” said Mills. “It is a big deal, because you’d rather hire someone that at least knows something about plumbing than starting fresh.”

Mills plans on getting his Associates Degree at Cuesta, then transferring to UC Davis or Fresno for his Masters.

“I like [plumbing] because it’s pretty much straightforward,” said Mills, alluding to the similarities between a jigsaw puzzle and plumbing.

“It’s simple but complicated at the same time.”

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Senior NEXT

Community helper

Super Seniors

Zarmeena Khan plays an avid role in community

by Courtney Thompson, A&E Editor

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Off to save the world one community project at a time, Zarmeena Kahn is as much a super hero as any Power Ranger- and knows how to look glamorous while doing it!

She walked in the room filled wealthy women in big hats, pinkies out, and napkins neatly folded in their laps. The fine china filled to the brim with tea clanked and clacked with each reach for a fancy finger food. Obviously, though, these big hatted ladies had more of an influence than her than expected.

Zarmeena Khan started her journey to help the community in seventh grade while completing her leadership hours of community service. Afterwards, helping the community prosper has been a part of her daily routine.

It all began when she was a sophomore in Anne Spohnhauer’s AVID class.

“We have to participate in 12 hours of community service a trimester, but whenever there is an opportunity, I am always there. It feels weird to not participate in community service,” said Khan, who participates in at least 12 hours of community service a trimester.

“When she does a job, she does it with more class and more sophistication and more style than anyone,” said Anne Spohnhauer, Khan’s Avid teacher for the past three years.

Including AVID, Khan is also a part of the ABC Club.

ABC Club is an organization advised by AP Literature and Language Arts teacher Aaron Cantrell that helps fund for college scholarships but recently

has been lending financial aid to programs around the school in need of funding. This year, she was elected ABC President by her peers and has been fundraising and bringing a new light and new ideas to the program. “[The ABC Club is] looking at different fundraisers to bring in more revenue because more students cannot afford college. It is great to be innovative. Sometimes we haven’t been successful, and other times we have been really successful. It is all a learning process,” said Khan.

“She is full of energy and full of good ideas. She is a very thoughtful, kind, polite, and creative person. One thing that might be my favorite thing about her is that she helps as a tutor in my ELL class. She works tirelessly to get those students to be the best she can be,” said Cantrell.

Khan’s niche is helping the community. Along with Avid and ABC service projects, with an estimated 388 hours of total community service since her leadership class in seventh grade, Khan now enjoys participating in the opportunity to help others become successful.

“It is just amazing to be doing something bigger than your own world,” Khan said.

As for her future, she is going to UC Merced for Enviornmental Engineering and then to Law School.

“She is just hilarious. She said she wants to marry someone wealthy so she can devote her time to help others. What a great reason to marry someone well to do,” Spohnhauer laughed.

The athletic trainer's training Senior’s recent discovery paves his future

by Angela Lorenzo, World Editor

Senior Mark Wilde doesn’t take only a ID card, jacket, money and Bearcat spirit with him to sporting events like the majority of Bearcats. Instead Wilde has taken athletic training bags filled with splints, braces, and athletic tape onto the field, where he also supplies water for the thirsty players to football, soccer, and softball games.

Although Wilde took Todd Olivera’s Intro into Sports Medicine class his sophomore year, he recently found a true passion for the expanding world of healthcare and medicine during Olivera’s sports medicine, athletic training, and community healthcare classes during the 2011-2012 school year, he now plans on creating a career path from his high school passion. Wilde currently aspires to become an athletic trainer for a professional sports teams, such as the 49ers.

“Originally, I wanted to get into law enforcement such as the CHP,” said Wilde, who speaks highly of both medicine and criminology career paths. “You can pack some real heat as a secret service agent,” said Wilde, while comparing options for the future.

“Sports medicine and learning about the muscles, which ones are which and what they do, interested me the most,” said Wilde, adding, “I really enjoyed learning sports medicine.”

Wilde is attending Cuesta, starting next fall, for two years before transferring to a four year university. www.crimsonnews.org

Football is Wilde’s favorite sport to cover, “We looked fly with our fanny packs on,” said Wilde. Wilde’s other main sports were men’s soccer, and softball. These were not the only sports he helped with because he covered for others’ sports.

Olivera, athletic trainer and PRHS teacher, sees a bright future for Wilde in the athletic training field. “Mark is one of the best student athletic trainers I have ever had the privilege to work with. He is a hard worker, dependable, punctual, and works well with others. I believe Mark will achieve whatever goals he sets for himself. I also believe that he would be an excellent Athletic Trainer, and I would be proud to have him as a professional colleague,” said Olivera.

Students, starting with senior Elias Stokes, call Wilde the “Mini O.” Both Wilde and Olivera take the comparison positively. “I take it as a compliment, he must have recognized our similar good looks,” said Wilde. “If I am like Mark, then I am proud to be compared with him,” commented Olivera, who himself first knew he wanted to make a career out of sports medicine about half way through college after rehabilitation from a sports induced injury.

Wildes athletic training future already seems bright with two gold medals for First Aid and CPR in Skills USA during regionals and at state. Wilde is flying to compete in nationals in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 23rd.

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Unlike Courage, Mark Wilde isn’t afraid to step up to a challenge.

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Senior Super SeniorsPREVIOUS

Paving the way to success Jesus Lopez comes from humble beginnings

by Dakota Cleland, Reporter

One wonders how someone can achieve all A’s throughout high school. Is it intelligence? Does it run in the family? For senior Jesus Lopez, these are big factors, but mainly it’s good old-fashioned hard work and dedication.

With a 4.40 GPA, five AP classes throughout his high school career, and three years of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) under his belt, Lopez has striven to achieve his goals and has become the first in his family to attend college—one of the most prestigious in California.

Lopez’s parents immigrated to California from Mexico in 1990 and successfully accomplished the American Dream. It was this drive to succeed that inspired Lopez to excel in school.

Since English is his second language, math has always been his strong suit in school.

But Lopez’s greatest skill is perhaps his ability to focus in on his academics.

“He’s at that next level of maturity where he’s able to settle down in class and close everything off around him. He focuses very tightly on what I’m doing on the board, takes really careful notes, tries really hard on the homework, and he follows every step. He really puts forth all of his concentration,” Lopez’s AP Calculus teacher Mike Serpa said.

Although he has achieved great academic success, he isn’t one to brag about it.

“He’s not the type of person who’s brilliant but blows off their homework. He does his work

and he does what’s expected of him, but he doesn’t boast about his abilities. I n fact, he’s rather quiet about it. Jesus is a very humble guy,” AVID coordinator Anne Spohnhauer said.

Lopez got turned on to the college scene when he originally joined the AVID program his freshman year, but it wasn’t until his sophomore year when he really became interested in what lay ahead for his future.

“Although my desire for the American Dream made me already have a wanting to go to college, AVID strengthened that goal for me,” Lopez said.

Though Lopez was accepted to UCLA, UC Davis, UC San Diego, UCSB, Cal Poly, Fresno State, and CSU Long Beach, he is going to attend UC Berkeley this fall. After receiving $27,000 a year from Cal Grants and Berkeley, he will only have to pay $3,000 for tuition per year.

Lopez chose Berkeley because of the prestige behind it and the fact that Berkeley has, according to a study by U.S. News last October, the fifth best mathematics department in the world. Lopez will major in Applied Mathematics, which puts math to use in other fields like economics and engineering.

His advice for those looking to succeed?

“If you really want something, you’ll be able to accomplish it. It’s just a matter of dedication. You don’t have to be smart. It goes beyond

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A passion for acting

Monty Renfrow shines among class for his star quality

by Megan Rodrigues, Co- Editor in Chief

Mont yr en fr o

w 22| Crimson 05.30.12

Head pounding, palms sweating, heart racing and sweat dripping three inches from his eyes exterior to the racing adrenaline and nerves that were building up within of actor senior Monty Renfrow as he faced one of the biggest auditions of his life that would determine if he would have a future in acting.

Twenty –eight minutes later, Renfrow walked out of the doors with a smile on his face and a $30,000 scholarship heading his way.

Renfrow’s desire to audition and passion for acting wasn’t fueled until he was a freshman in John Lambie’s drama class in 2008. Ironically, the actor didn’t sign up for the class; it was a scheduling error. Rather than going to the counseling office to change his schedule and switch drama with Ceramics 1, Renfrow decided that he would stay in the class; little did Renfrow know that this computer blunder would be the birth of his passion for acting.

“I was just like, ‘okay whatever I guess it’s not the worst thing in the world’,” Renfrow reminisces.

The class acted as a therapy for Renfrow such as the break through day when the class had to say goodbye to someone in their imagination. Renfrow chose his uncle, where he experienced such a significant loss; the emotions prompted him to punch the wall.

Over his four year acting career, Renfrow has been in 15 plays and played a principal role six times, his own personal favorite being the 2011 hit, “Dracula.”

“His dedication and depth [stand out as an actor.] He puts in the work to create a character

and is able to convey an honest portrayal. He is also able to go big, he isn’t afraid of what people will think, he is more interested in the character and what they mean to the story.

He is also a fantastic writer,” drama teacher Marcy Goodnow said who has worked with Renfrow since her first year teaching at PRHS in 2010.

“It was just weird. The first time I did it just felt right. It’s never been something I’ve tried to over think or dissect,” Renfrow said after several seconds trying to describe the feeling.

This feeling led Renfrow to audition for the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) 208 miles away in Los Angeles.

The school was founded in 1964 by actor Philip H. Burton with one idea in mind: “to create a school run by professional performers, for performers,” according the the AMDA website.

AMDA is a non-profit educational accredited institution of the National Association of Schools and Theatre and has two locations in New York and Los Angeles, where Renfrow will be studying acting and screenwriting.

After 28 minutes of performance and sweaty palms and butterflies, Renfrow wowed the AMDA officials with his monologue from the play, “Fat Pig” written by Neil Labute and later was offered a $30,000 scholarship to the academy to do what he loves to do: act.

His passion could follow in AMDA alumni such as Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who plays “Mitchell” on “Modern Family,” and Gretchen Mol, who stars as “Gillian” on “Boardwalk Empire.” But along with the passion, he has the “support, talent and [willingness] to work hard that will take him wherever he wants to go,” Goodnow said.

In the tough industry, Renfrow acknowledges that acting isn’t a preferred career among others but it’s the concerns, criticism and doubts that push an actor. “[As actors] we’re painting the picture of life and interpreting how we see them and how through our experiences and joys and our pain; just know if you say something bad or poorly about an actor, you may get interpreted by that actor as a villain or whatever, and it fuels their desires. We’re always watching, and we see the little details.”

What began as a schedule mishap to now his college major, Renfrow paves the way for Bearcat actors to embrace their inner “Leo DiCaprio” and find their “fire for acting,” such as he did in a desk at PRHS.

Paso Robles High School

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Seniors

Not your average John

Behind the scenes of the Charnley Show

NEXT

by Sarah Wilson, Feature Editor

If being hipster means straying off the beaten track, then senior John Charnley is the greatest hipster of all time. When it comes to being your own person and expressing yourself, Charnley has no boundaries, but lets his personality emanate from him.

A movie mastermind and eccentric individual, Charnley brings life to film and film to life with his director talents and big-screen personality.

In August, this Hollywood hopeful will attend San Francisco State University to study Cinema. But for the remaining days of high school, Charnley attends Stanley Cooper’s Advanced Video Production class every day fifth period in room 606.

“I’ve always felt like I’ve been able to express certain things about life better in that context. If you’re trying to talk to somebody about something, you might bore the crap out of them, just spouting out all this stuff. But if you can edit it in a way that’s visually interesting, you can make your point sometimes a lot better,” said Charnley, who is currently working on creating a sequel to a black and white 1940s Witha detective comedy videogame--the Film Noir story--which was first personalreleased in the 90’s. ity as gnarly “His passion, as I often put many things, burns with the strength as Nigel Thornberry’s of a thousand suns,” senior Kenneth Gurney said, who met nose, Charnley spins Charnley in a middle school video production class where they magic behind the video cam became friends. “He is so dedicated to his work he is willing to and authority everywhere. put up with the nonsense that occurs around him in our video Ask him to do the mouth production class. Honestly he is the best he can be.” trick with his phone.

Gurney recalls himself and Charnley planning to film a

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remake a Saturday Night Live skit.

“It was to be brilliant with all the students of the video production class, stuffed animal cats, and so many special effects lasers that it would be like a Star Wars film on crack cocaine.

I kept a brief write-up [and] script all these years and just this trimester gave it back to him,” Gurney said.

Notorious for being “the funny guy” who uses his outdoor voice in the library and speaks his mind to any who listen, Charnley raises the bar to the meaning of “unique.”

“I never really worried about not looking cool. So it kind of stemmed then to ‘How do I make myself look as ridiculous as possible?’” Charnley said, who likes to seek the “out of the norm when it comes to reactions.”

First meeting Charnley in a seventh grade biology class, senior Mackenzie Erb was friendly with the kid who frequently fell out of his chair, and made snarky comments to the teacher.

“I started to talk to John about his crazy rants and constant nerd talk. He explained to me that all of it was a big show to make his life more interesting, like a movie. I thought he was the most interesting person; ever since we have been super close,” Erb said, who recalls spending her junior year video production class sitting in the corner and talking with Charnley.

“I’m always in my character; I’m always cocky. I might be having a terrible day, but I do it anyway because I’ve always never really felt like I need to talk to everybody about everything.

I always was more focused on entertaining them. It’s like doing a show for myself almost,” Charnley said, who admitted that he sounded narcissistic.

So whether you see him behind the camera filming a comedy, or front and center playing the part, he is a movie unto himself, a witty wise-guy. He is the expert of entertainment, the mad genius behind it all.

He is the one, the only: John Charnley.

Swimming with the stars J Young overcomes injury, gets back in the water

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“It was fantastic,” Young recalls, I used to look at the moon, the stars, galaxies, other planets and their moons; it was awesome.” Space became his love. Years later, he remained as star struck as ever.

After applying to Stanford, CalTech, Columbia, San Diego State, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Davis, and UCLA, spring became a season of wating. With months of recovery and a year of school lay ahead, there was still work to be done.

Anyone with AP Calculus, such as Young, is sure to tell you that high school isn’t easy-- but the challenge was easily accepted. The grades soared and the swim times flew down. While keeping Principal’s Honor Roll for the past nine months, Young swam a team best of 50.2 in the 100 free and made CIF consideration in three relays - all of which he anchored for.

A senior year was saved, a prize of its own.

Yet an even bigger reward came in April, in a small white envelope holding a future inside. Acceptance letter? From UCLA. Major? Astrophysics.

“I always wanted to be an astronaut. Although this isn’t exactly the career to become one, it’s about as close as you can get,” Young said, whose long-term goals still include space travel “sometime in the future, considering it’s become much easier to do.” With limited job opportunities in the US, Young expects to move abroad for research positions, perhaps working with foreign scientists and space programs.

But for now, the plans are much simpler.

Los Angeles is still far away, and the stars even more so. And as the Paso sun grows hotter and the afternoons longer, the pool seems like the best place to be.

“I definitely plan to swim over summer,” said the future Bruin. “I’ll probably compete in a couple meets, see what times I can get.”

He might even break a personal record or two. After all, the sky’s the limit.

Ja y

Like a fish without fins, senior J Young should have no business in the pool. After all, you need feet to swim. Just last December, the varsity athlete was counting cracks in the hospital ceiling, a heavy cast weighing on both his leg and mind. With six months of post-surgery rehab ahead, Young imagined his coveted senior year going down the drain.

It was terrifying.

“I wasn’t sure how long [healing] would take. I wanted to get the surgery quicker but they were booked and closed, so I had to get it later than I’d wanted to. It would take awhile before I could get back,” Young said, who suffered from a bone condition called tarsal coalition. The genetic defect, which an estimated 3 to 5 percent of the population has, is a quirk that fuses two bones of the foot together during childhood, causing considerable pain when older. Because the condition affected both of his feet, Young was forced to have a duplicate of the first surgery on his second foot only two months later.

“The first foot wasn’t fully recovered by the time I had work on the second. When I used crutches around the house I had to put weight on the first foot. That started to mess it up and it was feeling pretty bad. When I was eventually able to get a walking boot on both feet it started completely healing,” Young said.

After a second round CIF run in water polo, which has only happened three times in Bearcat history, Young was eager to get back in the pool. He slowly recovered through sessions at San Luis Sports Therapy in downtown Paso, including workouts that moved a bucket-full of marbles with his toes. It was important not to return early and compound the injury. With the same determination that earned him his 4.31 GPA, he was soon on the sidelines of the Municipal Pool, coaches wondering if he’d actually jump in.

“I was back in the water before I could walk again,” Young remembered.

With a sharp mind and a dry wit, Young’s fierce focus earned him more than points in the pool. Yet while he worked his way back up to junior year splits, the classroom remained another stage to shine on. A passion had been brewing for quite some time.

It started as a quest for a telescope - an Orion ShortTube worth $400, to be exact —but evolved into something much more. After a few birthdays worth of saving, a toy turned into a treasure.

by Sinead Schouten, Sports Co-Editor

Paso Robles High School

ng u Yo Young, so like

Arnold, never give up when the going gets tough.

And what a shock of blond (swimmer’s) hair!

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23

Senior Super SeniorsPREVIOUS

KING OF kicking failure in the face

Andrew Chang thanks you for dealing with his ‘social awkwardness’

by Kathryn Wingfield, Co-Editor-in-Chief

future, he’ll be playing his favorite video games while dropped into the splits, like he did to prepare for his black belt exam in 2009, an event that served as the focus point for his favorite of many college essays.

“I pretty much got my butt kicked figuratively and literally.

However, I kept fighting anyways, and that was the point of the whole test: to see if I would have the endurance to keep fighting,” he recalled. “So this was a pretty important lesson to me. Even when the world seems like it’s against you, you have to keep getting up. You have to keep fighting. That’s what constitutes a very strong spirit.”

Chang’s strong spirit helped him through 30 hours of volunteer experience at Twin Cities Hospital, hours that gave him a glimpse into his future career as a doctor. He also wants eventually to volunteer to an “international volunteer organization to provide relief or free services to other countries.”

Each shift at TCH brought a new experience, from suicidal patients thrashing, to senior citizens passing away, to car accident victims exposing their skulls. The events and patients themselves left a permanent mark on the soon-to-be Biology major.

“The whole experience was really the final thing that made me decide to become a doctor, which my parents were okay

with, though they kind of tried to push me into being more of a bench researcher,” he said. “But I realized that I like the helping people part better than the fame and money.”

Before he departs, Your Majesty Chang has a final piece of advice to share.

“If you are living your life by constantly comparing yourself to other people, you are going about it the wrong way,” he said.

“You are never going to be anyone but you, so don’t waste time trying to become someone you are not.”

He would also like to thank you.

“I felt comfortable ha n g C w around my classmates, re and worked hard because d n I wanted to do well, not Though he’s because I was scared of just as brainy, being looked down upon.

And I’d like to thank them unlike Mandark, for dealing with my social Andrew Chang awkwardness.”

A

Andrew Chang has worked hard for many things in his life: a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a 4.48 GPA, and an acceptance letter to UCLA to name a few. And on a foggy Apr. 21 night at the Avila Beach Resort, the senior was awarded another honor that also spoke volumes: Prom King.

“It was ridiculous,” he said, chipping away at an AP Government practice test. “I told everyone not to vote for me, but they still did.”

The shining crown proved that there’s more to Chang than his notable academic accomplishments. There’s a chipper soul full of clippy comebacks, endless random knowledge, and passion for his future in the medical field that have left a lasting effect on his peers.

Peer into a typical evening at the Chang residence andsurprise- you won’t find him hunched over a book, scribbling away at pages of physics notes.

“I don’t spend my entire life studying or doing homework,” he said, though he taught himself Macroeconomics and Government outside of school in order to take more AP classes and tests. “I don’t even spend the majority of my time doing this, unless it’s before an exam, or my grade is in jeopardy.”

Instead, you’ll find him plinking away on the piano, brainstorming ideas for a new Karate Bob video,or reading up on online news. And if there’s a Tae Kwon Do test in the near

doesn’t have an evil lab in his bedroom.

Lovenotes hold true to their name

The quartet that has learned, lived, and loved through the music they spread

by Laura Callahan, Health Editor

Seniors Emily Grace Cone, Lindsay Reed, Trinity Smith, and Kathryn Wingfield make up the female quartet famously known on the Central Coast for sporting bright red lipstick and creating beautiful vocals: The Lovenotes.

The group was formed when choir director Mary Schmutz was searching for a quartet to send to a gig for the Trader Joe’s Christmas party in 2009 where the girls earned $80.

“The first time we sang, people were walking by and just smiling as we were making this amazing sound for the first time. It just happened right away, and that’s how we knew it was meant to be, because we didn’t even have to try, it just happened,” said Wingfield who was in her first musical at age six. The response to their rendition of “Oh Holy Night” evoked from the Starbucks customers was enough to convince the girls to pursue their new found

L o ve talent. not Since their first es gig, the Lovenotes have The Lovenotes performed approximately like the Powerpuff 100 times, hiring out at Girls an show average of $100 for each teamwork andThe girlLovenotes have a performance. power. tradition that the very first thing they can buy with gig money is coffee. No exceptions. However, these girls aren’t 24 | Crimson 05.30.12

singing for money, because money can’t buy love.

In December 2010, the Lovenotes had just finished singing at a Toy Bank event at the Marriott Hotel when they sat down to eat dinner. Soon, a business man that had been sitting at the bar during the performance approached the girls thanking them for making his tiresome job of traveling a little bit brighter.

“It’s one thing to provide entertainment but I think it’s also when you have those moments, when you know you’ve impacted someone’s life, for possibly the rest of their life. Who cares if you get a standing ovation, or money. That’s not what’s important to us,” said Reed, who began voice lessons at age nine.

The Lovenotes sing to spread love, and in the process they have grown through love.

“These are my sisters. I wouldn’t be half the person that I am today without them. It’s all about the little memories we’ve had, like getting together before gigs to put on red lipstick together, and just laugh and trade clothes,” said Cone, who admits that before each gig the girls change outfits about four times.

The girls worked on a 15 song album throughout their senior Paso Robles High School

year, “Note of Happiness”, titled after their first and single original song. The four verse song was written in just a few hours before the girls collaborated in the studio.

The Lovenotes have made a lasting impression on the PRHS choir through their talent and creativity, according to Schmutz.

“They are extremely talented teens,” said Schmutz, who has been a major supporter of the Lovenotes for three years.

“Each girl has been a wonderful role model in their own way using their own talents to encourage and uplift the other choir members.”

As graduation edges closer the Lovenotes have already begun to brace themselves from the separation anxiety they will face this fall when Wingfield is at the University of Oklahoma as a journalism major, Cone at King’s College in New York City majoring in Media, Culture and the Arts, Reed studying Music at Biola University, and Smith attending CSU Fullerton studying Musical Theater.

The girls have decided that Skype sessions will be mandatory.

“We taught each other confidence, the beauty of simplicity,” said Smith as she quoted “Note of Happiness.” The Lovenotes have brought a memorable sound to the PRHS campus, but it is the love for their community, fans, and each other that will forever echo through the halls of the school.

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Senior

Creating magnificent art

NEXT

Senior Destination

Ryan Morrison excels and succeeds in art and design

by Jonathan Kisch, Opinion Editor

At first glance his economics notebook is ordinary: filled with notes regarding supply and demand, monopolies, and other expected economics subjects. Upon further examination, the imaginative doodles of art prodigy Ryan Morrison take shape and come to life. From the young age of nine, Morrison realized his passion for art, and ever since, has been evolving into an art virtuoso.

“Drawing was just always something I loved to do and seemed to be good at. My homework and school notebooks are never without a doodle. I draw and thumbnail sketch my ideas out everyday, if I didn’t my head would explode. It’s the best way to reach your full creative potential,” said Morrison.

Some of Morrison’s doodles and sketches can be seen via Facebook, including his portrait of TV character Gregory House, singer Taylor Swift, and actress Olivia Wilde, and the last of which won first place in the 2011 Mid State Fair art portrait competition and the judge’s choice award. Morrison also received third place in the 2010 Morro Bay Art Center Scholarship Show Ry a nM 2D art, first place in the 2011 Brushmarks (Drawing), and second or place in the 2012 Brushmarks (Drawing) competitions.. ris Just on “Ryan has the ability to draw images of such detail that they as appear to be photographic. His greatest strength as an artist is his ability to combine elements to create unique logos and graphic Squidward is presentations that express an idea in new and novel ways,” said art always at his teacher Joshua Gwiazda, who has taught Morrison all three easel painting, trimesters of his senior year.

Ryan Morrison’s B u t Ryan’s talent is not limited to the canvas and sketch pad; it creativity flows extends further into the boundless digital art world. After waiting three years for an opening in Jeff Mount’s graphic communications class, through his computer Morrison mouse. Let’s just hope was finally able to take the class in the first trimester of his senior year, and ever since then, the Adobe and design principles in that class has

been the base of his mountain of graphic talent extending higher and higher.

“In one eye-full I could see Ryan had the design sense and pizazz that is rare among students who say they like photoshop. He can click a design concept into gold in a mere five minutes,” said Mount, who convinced Morrison to extend his graphic talent into the medium of the Crimson Newsmagazine this year and advised Morrison during SkillsUSA competitions.

Morrison’s graphics can be seen throughout the issues of the Crimson Newsmagazine this year.His clean-cut style and quality of work is also sought out by a numerous number of clients such as the local Templeton based now recording professional band--PK, Paso Robles Community Church and Collegetrips. org. His work can additionally be seen around campus on the 2012-2013 class registration packets, the ABC senior coffee fundraiser, posters, and sweatshirts.

His graphic design ability has also earned him merit with awards including: 20112012 SkillsUSA Advertising Design Regional Gold, and a Bronze in the State competition.

“Ryan is extraordinarily talented. His mind is brimming with creativity and innovation. He has proven himself to be not merely a factory for creative output, but also dependable in a way that one typically only finds about professional designers,” said english teacher Aaron Cantrell, who collaborates with Morrison for his own business, CollegeTrips.com, and the ABC club on campus.

After graduation, Morrison will enroll in Cuesta to get his AA degree and then hopes to transfer into Cal Poly where he will pursue a major in Graphic Design.

Morrison plans to use his degree to aspire to work as an art director for a design firm.

“Ultimate goal? Pixar. I don’t care if all I do is empty the trash, being around that much creative genius-ness must rub off at least a little bit. More of an achievable goal is to someday be an Art Director at a Design Firm. I would love to work on the kind of logo’s and other design that you see everyday,” Morrison said.

he’s a better clarinet player.

Taking flight

Connor Kingman finds his passion

by Kelly Munns, Editorial Editor

In a dark room with the lights dimming, seat tilting, and surrounding sounds shaking the walls, a flight simulator comes alive. Former tinkering tot senior Connor Kingman spends his last six high school months building a real-life flight simulator for his senior project in his endeavor class.

From early childhood, Kingman has always been interested in the art of how things work, most particular with light.

“Connor was only about a year and a half old and was walking by that time.

One afternoon, I left him in the care of his dad while I went to run errands. [My husband] promptly fell asleep in his recliner and Connor managed to get ahold of every lamp in the house and unscrewed the light bulbs in every one. He then sorted the light bulbs out by size and shape. We knew at that point engineering was in his blood,” recalled Kingman’s mother, Martina.

Kingman first found his passion of engineering when he joined the endeavor program in 2008 as a freshman. He continued with the class his sophomore and senior year, taking a break junior year to focus on AP classes and his 4.11 grade point average. Through his experience, he has learned many skills and it has all led up to the pinnacle of the last four years. “[Kingman] has done a lot of projects where he has pushed himself to do pretty amazing things,” endeavor teacher Alisa Bredensteiner said, who has been teaching endeavor for three years. “[He is] like a jolt of energy everyday...He’s one of those guys who knows what he wants.”

Being a senior in the endeavor program, Kingman had to come up with an idea for his senior project November 2011. After receiving a private tour of the

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aerospace program at the Cal Poly campus in San Luis Obispo during the summer of 2008 and getting a glance at the flight simulator, Kingman was determined to construct as close of a replica as he could. Along with seniors Carson Lightfoot and Teyvon Brooks, and junior Tim Benes, he successfully built a working simulator controlled by two hydraulics and consisting of many supplies. Senior Sean Doran and juniors Hayden Mullin, Matt Kwaitkowski, Chase Farrell, and Benes were a part of the construction team that built the structure of the simulator.The students spent two months designing the product and several weeks to get approval from the district’s liability board to ensure safety.

“The project came out ten times better with more funding than we initially intended with. It is so much better than I imagined it to be,” Kingman said, who acquired funding from generous donations made to the endeavor program. Kingman estimates that it costs a total of 600 dollars to build the simulator from scratch.

“It’s neat what you can do by taking old parts and making something new out of it whether it’s useful or not. There’s a lot of fun in that,” Kingman said, who plans to attend UC Irvine this fall to major in Mechanical Engineering.

Paso Robles High School

C

n on

or

n gma n i K

Connor Kingman is no average Doug, but he can totally rock a green sweater vest.

Photos by Megan Rodrigues and Emily Cone

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Senior Senior Map

Double date

PREVIOUS

SKATE

1 Seniors relive a childhood experience

by Summer Volle, Reporter

Seniors Chris Haag, Sara Bilderback, Stephanie Smith and Dakota Salazar walked blindfolded on Saturday May 12, on sizzling sidewalks by the Midstate Fairgrounds only able to hear the murmur of cars zooming by while heading towards an unknown destination.

Blind Date June 2012 doubled the pleasure of coupling two pairs of seniors for the first time this year out of four previous dates. In near record high temperatures and the most dangerous conditions for a date this year, the term “blind” in blind date played out as the red and white bandanas covered the daters eyes on their walk towards the mystery destination.

While walking blindfolded, the stubborn boys didn’t want to be guided, so consequently Salazar unknowingly ran straight into a pole on the sidewalk through laughs about how Crimson was going to kidnap him.

On what seemed like the endless walk, the daters finally reached roller blades and catchy pop music with classy Christmas lights strung up around the sign, “Skate Mor,” Paso’s humble skating rink. When the blindfolds fell down from the couples faces, they were shocked that their long walk had only led them right across from where they parked.

The couples settled down at a table in front of the rink to eat turkey and BLT sandwiches from Berry Hill Bistro. They discussed skating, Prom, and baseball. The friendly mood among the daters set a comfortable environment among the couples who were in store for a day filled with laces and wheels.

“This is going to suck. I feel like I will break a wrist,” Salazar said jokingly.

28 | Crimson 05.30.12

Bilderback also feared she would break an arm and Smith admitted that she was really nervous to skate.

“I seriously feel like I’m going to fall,” Smith said while getting her skates on.

All of the daters then went into the rink and Salazar managed to fall a few times, while Haag showed off his skating skills in between the camera flashes. The couples acted like kids again and PRHS juniors and Skate Mor staff Silvestre Baniqued and Hayden Mullin helped and laughingly watched the daters race around the rink.

“I don’t even remember the last time I skated,” Smith confessed, who was a shaky skater at first.

When the daters got tired, Haag continued to skate around and persuade the others to keep going. When everyone was finally done, the couples returned their skates and met outside for some last pictures. They then walked back to their cars with laughs and memories from their skating adventure as seniors in high school, going back in time to their childhood and enjoying their blindfolded adventure.

2 Photos by Kelly Munns Graphic by Ryan Morrison

DATE AGENDA: 1. WALKING BLINDLY (above): The daters guided themselves to the mystery destination in approximately 87 degree Fahrenheit weather.

2. SANDWICHES WITH A SMILE (top right): After eating from Berry Hill Bistro, skaters headed to the rink. BLT and turkey sandwiches were provided.

3. RACING INTENSELY (bottom right): Bilderback and Haag playfully raced around the rink while Smith and Salazar rested for a bit.

Paso Robles High School

3 www.crimsonnews.org

Senior

Student sayonara NEXT

Teacher Salutes

PRHS’s four influential seniors, Noel Aschenbrener, Brandon Penn, Elizabeth Kerr, and Ashlee Juarez send-off!

Noel Aschenbrener Commissioner of Entertainment

These last four years have been an unforgettable journey, and the last one has been the most magnificent ending! All of you have made these years memorable, and I just can’t believe its all over! Embrace every second of these years; they go by faster than you’d ever expect! ! Being your ASB Commissioner of Entertainment has been one of the most rewarding experiences. My leadership family, thank you for being amazing. Mrs.Bedrodsian and Goodnow, I can never thank you enough for all you do not only for me but the entire school!

Class of 2012,congratulations.

We did it! And good luck on your new chapter I wish you only the best and a life full of so much happiness!

Thank you, Bearcats.

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Brandon Penn ASB Vice President

When I started school at Paso High, I was a semi-shy and friendless junior. Because of the positive energy and enthusiasm of the 2011 student body (and more specifically the 2011 Leadership Team) I felt very welcome. Friendships began, I became bold and spontaneous, and I found a new and better form of myself.

This year I have had a fantastic experience playing the role of ASB Vice-President, working with our leadership team in executing our school functions, and befriending hundreds of amazing people. Through intelligent teachers and a fun student body here, I have grown both academically and socially.

These past two years have been incredible; I wouldn’t change a thing! I send out my thanks to all I have crossed paths with, for you will all be in my heart and in my mind as we go our separate ways. I will miss you dearly, Paso Robles High!

Elizabeth Kerr Senior President

I am so grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to serve as the Senior Class President.

I’ve really enjoyed working with leadership, Mrs. Conte, and the senior class to plan and put on successful senior activities. I’ll always look back on my high school experience with fondness, especially cheer, Bella Voce and student government. I love senior class, and I’m so glad I was able to attend high school that gives students so many opportunities to get involved and get the most out of their high school experience

Paso Robles High School

Ashlee Juarez ASB President

I want to thank PRHS for giving me the opportunity to serve as ASB President.

It has been an amazing opportunity, and I learned so many things about myself and my potential as a leader. High school went by so fast, and I am incredibly thankful that I got to spend my last year with these amazing Leadership kids who work tirelessly to put on events for the school. I had a good time getting to know them.

I also want to thank Mrs. Bedrosian and Mrs. Goodnow for being so fabulous and supportive!

Through the side-pony tails and late nights cleaning up after dances, Senior year has definitely been one for the record books.

Crimson 05.30.12 |

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TeacherStaff sendoffs Salutes seniorclass

Senior PREVIOUS

to the

Leadership

T “

o the graduating class of 2012, As you move on to your next adventure, I want to pass on these thoughts and hopes for you – First, my hope for you, and for all of us, is that we never cease in our efforts to find ways to live in peace with each other, and with the rest of the living world. It can be done; in fact it has been done by many cultures and peoples throughout history. And while it is remarkable and amazing that this planet can support 7 billion people all at the same time, the stresses and strains on the Earth are evident and in most cases, very obvious. What we must all do is continuously strive to find ways to live well on less. And yes, I mean less money, and fewer resources. Many of us know this as shrinking your Ecological Footprint. And it doesn’t matter what career you select, it can be done in a way that respects the natural world, and leaves more space for the other creatures with whom we share the Earth. Secondly, I hope that you will take control of how much time you spend electrified, and find ways to balance your life with time spent in nature. There simply is no substitute for a beautiful sunset, walk in the woods, or trek across the mountains. Go do it, and when you become a parent one day, turn your kids on to the outdoors. And finally to my beloved GEO students, I will miss you every day, and think of you always. All I ask is that you email me at least once a year so I know what you’re doing. And if you don’t get out of bed, I will find you and drag you out of your tent!

—Mark DiMaggio, Science Teacher

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G “

ood bye Class of 2012!

You have had an interesting journey: trimesters, construction, budget cuts, more construction, new teachers, more construction, economic troubles and finally a great senior year. I salute you as you continue to pursue your goals out there in the real world.

Don’t forget the truly dedicated staff here at PRHS who helped you move up to the next step. Also don’t forget to thank your parents for the transportation, the funding, the support and even their rules. You will miss them more than you know right now. I am deeply grateful for all you have shared and done. Spread your wings as far as you can. We most often regret the things we have not done. Never mind searching for who you are. Search for the person you aspire to be.

—Sandra Buck-Moyer, Counselor

D “

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hoose to make each day a great day, by being in the moment, being playful and making the day for others. Stay present with others that you come into contact with. While dealing with others be attentive to their needs and you are being considerate. Be an active listener. This requires full attention on what they have to say. Look at them directly; share their concerns, worries, fears, loves, joys and interests.

Know that our language, manners, behavior patterns and beliefs are passed on to others.

As we take genuine interest in others we will make a positive difference in their lives.

—Mark Fairbank, Science Teacher lass of 2012: You did it. You hung in there. Now get out there and make us proud. We salute you.

—Stan Cooper, Video Production Teacher

lv Ca

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Stan Cooper

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Mike Delbar

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n French class you learned the language and a few things about the culture. Now go to France! Never again in your life will you have the freedom that you will have immediately after high school. Go now, before the marriage, the babies and the career. This is the time to travel; to experience the world. Best wishes.

—Mike Delbar, French Teacher

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aniel & Christina: I’m going to miss you camping out in my office day after day.

Who am I going to get hugs n kisses from every morning when you come in and every afternoon when you leave? Thank you for your love and friendship and for sharing your 4 years here at PRHS with me! I wish you the best in what ever you choose to do and always remember how much I love you and how so so proud I am of you!

—Frances Valle, Principal’s Assistant

o the AVID class of 2012: Congratulations on your college acceptances and your bright futures! You’ve worked hard to earn the opportunity to pursue a college education. AVID has offered you study skills, vision, rigorous academic challenges, confidence in who you are and what you can do, and door-opening assistance. Now with your own “individual determination,” carry on, the sky’s the limit, you’ll do wonderfully well in college! Once an AVID student, always an AVID student, so keep in touch—we are a family, and “Mom” loves you! Don’t forget to come back often to share your great successes with our future AVID students! To my Short Story/Popular Novel classes: Thank you for being respectful, engaged, deep-thinking, self-reflecting students. It’s been a privilege to be your teacher!

Please, each one of you, become a leader of tomorrow for then this world will be a better place!

Now as you step out into the world of responsibilities and individual accountability, don’t “ask [yourself] if this or that is expedient, but only if it is right.” Extend kindnesses like those extended

by James Jarvis and Mrs. Lithbe, “fear not,” have hope, and seek restoration in light of Stephen Kumalo, BE an Arthur Jarvis! Like Siddhartha, think deeply about and seek answers to “whom you are, why you are here, and where you are going.” Finally, pursue truth and enlightenment, purpose and meaning! I’ll miss you all!

—Anne Spohnhauer, English Teacher

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ear Seniors, Walk with a smile on your face and love in your heart, and remember Emerson’s lesson that what lies behind you and what lies before you are tiny matters compared to what lies within you. Congratulations to the Class of 2012. ­—Calvin Wood, English Teacher

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Senior Aaron Cantrell

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Seniors, hanks for all you’ve taught me, especially this year. I’ve learned about having a heart, caring for humanity, youthful exuberance and the meaning of friendship.

Watching Mac Stuart at a recent game run in from left field during a game to pat our shortstop on the back with encouragement and then trot back out to play ball is my analogy for the seniors’ positive actions this year. When I think about you seniors, I say, “I have faith in the youth of America.” Please, don’t forget to say, “Hey” when you all see me around the corner. Has anyone told you what a great person you are today? Well, let me be the first, You all are great individuals; thanks for being in my life. It’s been a pleasure.

—Ralph Blinkwolt, English Teacher

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o My Beloved Class of 2012: Long have you timidly waded holding a plank by the shore, Now I will you to be a bold swimmer, To jump off in the midst of the sea, rise again, nod to me, shout, and laughingly dash [from hence]....

I am the teacher of athletes, He most honors my style who learns under it to destroy the teacher.

(Walt Whitman, Song of Myself).

With fondness and high hopes, —A.C. Cantrell, English Teacher

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oreign ambassadors, Celia, Valentine, Rosa and Vojin I salute your courage! Kristen, Paige, Vojin, Zion is nature therapy! Sinead S. and Katie E., brains and speed! Tara (Squirrel Girl!), April B., Sierra B., Kelsey S., Anacaren M., keep exploring your amazing young selves. Shine on, bright Tiffany T. Alissa F., Viviana R. You are boys become men Josh R., Nathan H., James P., Pastor M., Jesus L., Junior R., Jacob T., and Zach M. Graceful Alex L., Natalie T., Zoe R., Cassandra H., Sydney T., don’t stop dancing through life. Emily M., Thomas W., Eileen C., Michael C-R, keep expanding your artistic vision. Diana A., Mayra M., Linda A., Stephanie S., Thelma R., Lizbeth N., Cristina U., you are diamonds in the rough.

Now into the world you must delve, Mighty Class of Two Thousand and Twelve! What Polonius said I’ll say anew: To thine own self be true. This salute is for you.”

—Geof Land, Psychology Teacher

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eniors: Live long and prosper! Listen to your guts and your heart. Don’t measure yourself by other people’s definition of success. Don’t stress out if you have no idea what you are doing, just do something and enjoy the journey. Travel often. Seeing new places and meeting new people will make you a better person. We all take different roads to find out who we really are, and it can actually be quite fun! Be good to yourself and others. Learn how to love and how to be loved. Have an amazing life. We will miss you!

—Heather Stover, English Teacher

www.crimsonnews.org

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ongratulations to the graduating class of 2012! Can you believe how fast 4 years goes by? You are achieving the first of many milestones in your life that will forever be in your memory bank. How proud each of your family members will be seeing you wear that Cap and Gown and marching at War Memorial Stadium on June 8. You have been a memorable group for me and I will remember this class for many years to come. Always keep in mind that “Happiness is a by product of a life well lived.

—Joe Cardinale, Counselor

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Senior Timeline

Photos by Olivia Musial and Lauren Rodrigues

o My Senior Yearbookers! Thank you so much for giving me your all ALL year! CE: I still remember you still as the quiet, young girl in Freshman English J It’s been an amazing experience to see you grow up into the wonderful young woman you are. I will miss your sweet smile. CF: I’ll never forget your crush on Hannah Montana your Freshman year and that big grin when I knew you were up to something J I wish you all the best. JH: Thank you for all your work and patience with such a crazy group and I wish you luck! CL: Wow! My total “go to” girl. You really have a knack your yearbook and I always knew I could trust you to jump in at a moment’s notice. You’re skills in both writing and photography were such an asset. I’ll miss you. DL: Your contagious smile ALWAYS made my day. I will miss your quiet dedication and organization. Blessings to you and good luck! MM: I treasure the two years you were on staff. You are a strong, hard-working and dedicated young woman, and I know wherever life takes you, you will be happy and successful. SM: You are just as crazy as you were when I met you as a freshman. Your incredible energy and lack of filter made the staff one I’ll always remember. Don’t forget to take all your dishes, clothes, cups, etc with you when you go J SR: Thank you so much for all your hard work this year. Looking back, I wish you would have been on staff longer. You were super organized and I could always count on you. You are an intelligent and hard-working young man and I know life has big things in store for you. Good luck! LR: Thanks for being willing to take the reigns this year. I know at times it was chaotic, but you held your own and made sure that the book was a success. I can’t wait to hear about all the wonderful things you’re going to do in the future! J PS: I wish you would’ve have been here longer. You were one of the quiet ones in the group, but boy you sure were always there when I needed you. I wish you all the luck in the world and remember to come back and visit.

—Maggie Roberts, English Teacher

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raduates, remember: everything you need to know you learned in kindergarten and ceramics class. You’ll be fine! A few words of advice that have served me well: If you don’t know where you are going, you will end up somewhere else. Make short and long term goals. If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything. Now is as good a time as any to evaluate your friends and surround yourself with people who uplift you and not bring you down. Travel. Do your research. Pursue a career you love and you’ll never work another day in your life. Keep in touch. Congratulations for your achievements and good luck on your exciting new adventure.

—Kiley Wilson, Ceramics Teacher

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—Olivia Musial, In-Depth Editor

Paso Robles High School

Crimson 05.30.12 |

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Senior must do's...

Senior Opinion

Teacher Salutes

PREVIOUS

Senior year: the last year of high school.

Landmark events and memory makings lie ahead, PRHS.

— Megan Rodrigues, Co-Editor-in-Chief

College shirt day May 2

Senior sale December 12- 16

Seniors Zoe Ruz, Mykalyla LaMere, Sierra Hite, Stacie Beattie and Emily Grandoli volunteered themselves for auction, a fundraiser for seniors only (with the occasional teacher.)

Profits from the auction are donated to the Woods Humane Society. Purchased seniors are at every whim of their buyer for the following week, including making food, dressing up as a princess, and barking every time their name is called.

Senior favorites...

What are a few of the Class of 2012’s favorite things? We asked, they answered.

App: Angry Birds

Seniors Katie East, Katie Knupper, Meredith Masch, Kristin Goetz, Zarmeena Khan and Natalie Trudeau participate on College Shirt Day. After the national registration day on May 1, when seniors gave their notice of intent to register to attend in the following fall, the seniors wore their future college’s letters to show off their future.

April 30- May 4

Senior Matt Dansereau was hypnotized and walked down the “catwalk” to “I’m Too Sexy,” as freshman, sophomores and juniors took the California Standardized Test (CSTs.) The senior class participated in a week long program known as Senior Celebration Week.

Each day a different event entertained the future graduates, such as a hypnotist, senior breakfast and an inflatable slide.

Senior Ditch Day May 4

Embracing the Central Coast that many seniors will soon be leaving, the Class of 2012 ditched a school day on Friday, May 4, to go to the beach. Seniors enjoyed tanning, skimboarding and burying Davey Mills in the sand, putting Cheez- Its on his chest so the sea gulls would land.

Gadget: iPod

Grad Nite May 17

90’s toy: Barbie Song: “We Are Young,” — F. U. N Movie: The Avengers 90’s show: “Powerpuff Girls” *55 seniors surveyed

— Laura Callahan, Health Editor and Megan Luth, Food Editor

32 | Crimson 05.30.12

Senior Celebration

Graduation June 8

(Above) This year the seniors attended Grad Nite at Magic Mountain instead of the usual trip to Disneyland.

The class ate an “all you can eat” buffet and rode on rollercoasters until 5:30 a.m.

(Left) The class of 2012 will walk across the stage and receive their diploma at War Memorial on Friday, June 8 at 5:30 p.m. The seniors have completed a minimum of 270 credits and have met the 90 Percent Rule over their four year high school career to be eligible to graduate.

Photos by Lauren Rodrigues, Kim Boswell, Megan Rodrigues and Marisa Martinez

Paso Robles High School

www.crimsonnews.org

Retiring

Senior NEXT

Teachers say Farewell Joe Cardinale

I started at Paso Robles H.S. in 1980 as a Social Studies teacher in the second semester at the old high school location (Flamson Middle School now). I was informed that the enrollment at that time wasn’t high enough (only 800 students!) and would not be re-hired as a teacher for the next school year, however there was a Counseling position available. I had started taking classes earlier in college and was able to complete courses in the evening at Cal Poly toward my Counseling Credential and Master’s Degree, while teaching at PRHS during the day.

Fortunately, God opened a door for me and I interviewed and was selected that summer before school started as a Counselor at PRHS! I was only 25 years old and pretty scared. I have been here ever since that day . I love Paso Robles , the town, the school, but mostly the people. It has embraced my wife and family since day one and I feel so blessed to have had a wonderful career helping, encouraging and supporting students and families over these 32 years.

I am most proud to have coached, started our Peer Communications program in which Jeanne Neely has done a wonderful job, and also the annual Senior Scholarship Night.

I will miss the students, faculty, and close relationships here at PRHS; I will never forget all the great memories I’ve made over the years. Go Bearcats!

www.crimsonnews.org

Foreign exchange

With 82 years of combined teaching experience, three PRHS teachers are calling this year their last. They plan on visiting family, mountain biking, volunteering, and even snow-skiing on weekdays.

Below are their goodbyes and thoughts on their careers here as Bearcats.

Mary SchmutzHiestand

Wow it is hard for me to believe that next August I will not be starting back to school with all of you. I started my teaching career in the Napa schools, taught outside of Chico in a country town called Durham, and I have taught in the Paso Schools since 1985.

In that time, my choirs and I have presented more than 200 concerts. This June will mark my 35th year in the teaching profession. I have loved being back and teaching at the high school these last four years. When I was hired here in 1985 my task was to build a choral program at PRHS and Flamson.

After nine years of watching the programs grow I stepped out of the high school to have more time with my son, Kenny, who was a toddler. I continued to teach full time at Flamson , and then moved to Lewis when it opened in 1994. Teaching at Flamson and Lewis was a time of creating many rich memories that I will never forget. My students, over the years, have inspired me and I cherish the many amazing experiences in the music world that we have had together. My greatest joy has been sharing music with my students and then watching them share it with others. I will never forget our 5 day trip to San Francisco with the PRHS Advanced Choir to participate in the 1st ever Chanticleer National Youth Choral Festival two years ago. It is amazing to me that our final concert this year and my last, will also be in collaboration with Chanticleer in the Santa Barbara Mission on June 9th.

I am so grateful for the time I have had with all of you. My students and friends in this district have been such a blessing to my life. This district is full of dedicated, caring, and passionate teachers. My students have enriched my life and my heart is full of love for all of you. I wish you all the best and will miss you all.

Paso Robles High School

David I have been teaching at Paso Robles High School since 1997, the past 15 years it has been Krause somyforpleasure to serve as a science

teacher here at this school. Previous to that, my teaching experience included teaching biology at San Diego City College and botany at San Diego State University.

I also spent time as a tour guide at Hearst Castle, built my own house, and was a general building contractor for 10 years. I will miss teaching here at PRHS but I will continue to teach biology classes at Cuesta College part time.

Throughout the years our school has been a great support and a family for those who work and attend here. It has always been a welcoming and supportive place. I have always felt that Paso Robles High School provides a caring and nurturing environment for students and staff, as well as giving students a quality education. As a National Board Certified Teacher, I am proud to have been a part of this process.

As the school year ends and I am coming to the end of my service at Paso Robles High School, I am looking forward to retirement. I will have more time to pursue my interests. I will be traveling to various destinations in my RV. I have a remodeling project on a house we recently purchased. I will have more time for interests, such as hiking, mountain biking, and botanizing. I will also have more time to spend with family. What’s not to like?

Thanks to all the students, teachers, staff, and parents who have made my tenure at Paso Robles High School such a great experience.

Photos by Olivia Musial and Emily Cone

Crimson 05.30.12 |

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Senior Retiring Teachers

NEXT

Farewell foreign exchange students

As the foreign exchange students go back to their countries, they share their memories with Crimson and the rest of the school.

“It seems like just yesterday the International Club was welcoming our 2011-2012 foreign exchange students, showing them around the campus, befriending them, and having fun Sunday and Friday night parties at the park… and now, it is already time to say farewell! RosaMaria from Faroe Islands, Kana and Ena from Japan, Nico from Italy, Valentine from Belgium, Lily from Taiwan, Vojin from Serbia, and Celia from Spain, have become an integral part of Paso Robles High School. Each of you has made a lasting mark on our campus and in our hearts. We will always fondly remember track/cross country stars RosaMaria (a dancer, too), Valentine, and Lily (a budding tennis player, also)…water polo/swimming stars Nico and Vojin…talking, laughing, and smiling fashion stars Kana, Ena, and Celia! It’s been fun to watch you make friends, excel in your classes, eat new foods, and go lots of fun places in California. Best of luck to you as you return home and move on with life…come visit us again soon and often!”

—International Club and Anne Spohnhauer

Yun-Ling Lily Lin T A I W A N

Valentine Vanleeuw

RosaMaria Rasumussen

B E L G I U M

F A R O E I S L A N D S

“Back home, in Taiwan, we would say school in America is really easy and people can pass it no problem, but that’s not true. You can make it however hard you want. People here use hugs here because they are friends but back home, it means you are boyfriend and girlfriend.”

“I discovered so many new things here.

Before I came here, I was hoping this year would be the one I will never forget...

Now it is getting to the end, I know I won’t! I will miss everyone here. Thank you to those that made this year the year of my life! They know who they are.”

Nicola Davaz

Celia Arroyo Alvarez

Kana Tei

“I expected America to be more like my country, a lot of things a very different.

Like peoples personalities and the school system. And here when you go out you leave for dinner at like 5 and come back around 11, there you go at like 10 and come back whenever.”

“Some things I will miss are school spirit days such as pajama day and nerd day, we don’t have those back home.

I visited Los Angeles and it was my favorite. I will miss Starbucks the most.

We don’t have Starbucks in my town. I have to go a few towns over.”

I T A L Y

“There’s not one best memory, it’s all of the little ones that made this year memorable. Overall I’m going to miss all the people I won’t see together anymore. I will miss the whole high school experience. This was ‘the year of my life.”

S P A I N

“I am going to miss my friends, my host family and host sisters Demi and Danica [Boggs]. I was so scared before I left, [that] nobody was going to talk to me, but everybody is so nice and smiley in school. And the last thing I am going to miss a lot too is the weather.”

J A P A N

Ena Isumi J A P A N

“Prom was my best memory. We didn't dance, but it was cool because we don’t have Prom back home. We got to dress up and put on jewelry and makeup and it was just really fun. I will miss my friends and my host mom. “

Vojin Maksimovic

S E R B I A

“I bought him at the senior sale, I was so excited. The first thing he said to me was, ‘You aren’t going to make me do anything crazy right?’ I’m pretty sure he had fun though. Who wouldn’t want to hop around school all day in a fuzzy pink bunny suit. Love you.” - Zoe Zepp, 10

­—Angela Lorenzo, World Editor, Courtney Thompson, A&E Editor, and Summer Volle, Reporter Photos by Kelly Munns, Lauren Rodrigues, and Sierra Mosley

34 | Crimson 05.30.12

Paso Robles High School

www.crimsonnews.org

Senior NEXT

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1. Iris Anastacio 2. April Aronsen “Mama” 3. Noel Aschenbrener 4. Claire Baldal “May May” 5. Alexandra Ball “Top it!” www.crimsonnews.org

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6. Amanda Belmont 7. Kimberly Boswell 8. Matthew Bouffard “Ohhh great!”

9. Sierra Bowman “No!” 10. Teyvon Brooks Paso Robles High School

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11. Mariah Buchanan 12. Christine Buckley 13. Adam Campbell-Taylor 14. Yazmin Campos 15. Mitchel Carroll

16. Jason Cromer 17. Mackenzie Erb 18. Jordan Ethridge 19. Alec Flynn 20. Alexis Godwin

“Kitty” “Mine” “Doggie” “Poop”

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21. Kenny Gurney 22. Imer Hernandez 23. Daniel E. Hernandez 24. Aisha Hernandez 25. Karinna Hernandez

36 | Crimson 05.30.12

“Pokemon” “Chicken nuggets” “Chu pu pe”

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26. Sierra Hite 27. Jessie Hursell 28. Amanda Hutchinson 29. Tally Jansen Van Rensburg 30. Ashlee Juarez

“Daddy” “Me sing!”

“Ek ook”

31. Elizabeth Kerr 32. Connor Kingman 33. Katelyn Knupper 34. Alexandria Lambirth 35. Mykayla LaMere

Paso Robles High School

“Lightbulb” “Moddy” “Shushy coyloy” “Don’t say me that”

36. Ashley Levanduski 37. Joseph Lunt “Fry fry” 38. Marisa Martinez “No” 39. Hannah Martinez 40. Danika McWaid “Mommy” www.crimsonnews.org

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“Dada” “Get me!”

“Hold you!”

“Shasha” “La doo”

46. Allysha Newnam “Mom mom” 47. Ben Oliver 48. Brooklynn Orlando 49. Andrew Paul “Doggie” 50. Lucia Perez

51. Casey Punches 52. Lindsay Reed “No” 53. Shelby Reneau “Bugga” 54. Monty Renfrow “Good idea!”

55. Thashous Robbins

Paso Robles High School

56. Megan Rodrigues 57. Lauren Rodrigues 58. Taylor Rose 59. Zoe Ruz 60. Garrett Schasteen

“Laurenlaurenlauren!”

“Sissy!”

“Truck” “One more time!”

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38 | Crimson 05.30.12

“Kita” “Cuddles” “Vroom vroom” “ABC’s”

66. Stephanie Smith 67. Kalyn Taborski 68. Tiffany Tedeschi 69. Taylor Throop 70. Natalie Trudeau

“Kackooz” “Oh no!

“Waz that?”

71. Daniel Valle 72. Eli Vargas 73. Taylor Velarde “Go!” 74. Allyson Weinstein 75. Kathyrn Wingfield

Paso Robles High School

76. J Young 77. Tyler Zepp 78. Amanda Zimmerman

“Puppy” “Dog” “Papa” www.crimsonnews.org

Senior

www.crimsonnews.org

Mitchel Carroll

Andrew Chang Matthew Bouffard

Congratulations, Alexis! We are all so proud of you. It has been a joy to watch you grow into such an amazing young woman. You’re such a beautiful person who can accomplish WHATEVER you put your mind to. We look forward to watching your next adventure. We all hold you in our hearts.

With Love, Your Family

Congratulations, Big Al! The name that has stuck with you since Bantam Football when you were a 7 year old that loved to tackle!! Our son who as a toddler thought he was a cat and ate dry cat food. LOL. You have grown into an awesome young man! Have fun at Cal Poly! Go Mustangs!

Love, Dad, Mom, Amanda, Austin and Andy Congratulations punkin pie, baby doll.

You make us so proud for what you have accomplished. Have a great graduation and a wonderful future. We love you.

Mom & Dad

Alec Flynn

Yazmin Campos

Congratulations, Ashlee! We are so proud of all you’ve accomplished so far.

You are going to do great things in the future. Have a great time San Francisco.

Reach for the stars and they will be yours!

Love, Mom, Dad, Steven, Kayla, Colton

Andrew, it has been an amazing experience to watch you grow up. We are so proud of your accomplishments and looking forward to the exciting new chapter in your life, knowing you will do great. Congratulations!

Love, Mom & Dad

Alexis Godwin

Ashlee Juarez

Congratulations, Ashlee! We are so proud of all you’ve accomplished so far.

You are going to do great things in the future. Have a great time San Francisco.

Reach for the stars and they will be yours!

Love, Mom, Dad, Steven, Kayla, Colton

Here’s to a wonderful daughter. Through hard work and dedication you have accomplished many challenges. We are very proud of you. May all your dreams come true and life be filled with all God’s blessings. We love you.

Mom, Papi, Brandon, Rodi, Gma & Family. Gracias meja. Te amo.

Congratulations, Alex! It’s been a delight to watch you grow into a beautiful young lady. We are so proud of who you have become and look forward to your future accomplishments. May God always bless you and keep you safe.

With much love, Mom & Dad

Paso Robles High School

Shoutouts

You say you will go, see, learn, explore, create and climb - and you will!

We will say - that is our son!

He is kind, smart, funny and courageous - because you are!

We will tell the world we are proud of you and love you - because we do - so very much!

Mom and Dad

Hannah Martinez Amanda Hutchinson

We are so proud of you. Daniel we have watch grow from a lil boy to the young man you are today. May all your dreams come true. We love you.

Love, Mom and Dad

Congratulations, Jordan! You have made us so proud of all that you have accomplished. Our little Big Ears has become a young man with a fantastic future ahead. Stay focused and keep God in your heart and you are sure to succeed! We will love and miss you everyday and pray that God keeps you safe.

Mom, Dad & Brother

Congratulations, Mitchy! Remember if you follow your heart you know you are making the right choices. Be safe in the next step in your life as a United States Marine. We are so proud of you!

We love you Bunches!

Love, Mom & Dad

Jessie Hursell

Daniel Hernandez

Mackenzie Erb

Congratulations Mac Attack! In a blink of an eye, you have grown into an amazing young lady full of love & joy.

We have no doubt that you are destined for greatness & will change the world with your work ethic & compassion for others. Now get out there & seize the day - “Life is a daring adventure, or nothing at all.” You will always be our sunshine.

Love, Mom, Dad & Jared

Congratulations, Yazmin! I am a very proud mom and wish you the best. Now you will fly to a new adventure at Sonoma State University and I hope all your dreams come true. Love you always my little princess Yazie.

Love, Mom

Connor Kingman Karinna Hernandez Jordan Ethridge

Mariah Buchanan

Congratulations, Mariah! We have enjoyed watching you grow over the years. A successful student and athlete, we are so proud of you. Good luck in your college, we love you.

Love, Mom, Dad and Kimmy

Congratulations, Sweetheart! It’s so hard to believe that our little girl is about celebrate her High School Graduation. It has always been a complete joy watching you grow up and tackle the world in your own special way. We wish you could stay our wonderful little girl but we know that it is time for your next amazing journey.

Your Loving Family

Alexamdria Lambirth

Claire Baldal

Congratulations Claire! We are so extremely proud of you! No one else can speak the words on your lips. Drench yourself in words unspoken. Live your life with arms wide open. Today is where your book begins. The rest is still unwritten. -Natasha Bedingfield We Love You, Mom and Dad

Amanda Belmont

NEXT

Dear Amanda, You have become a beautiful and accomplished young woman. Although the thought that you will soon be stepping out into the world gives us momentary sadness, we know that we will always be blessed by having you as our daughter. Congratulations on your graduation and may the Lord continue to bless you as he has blessed us with you.

Love, Mom and Dad

Congratulations and Happy Graduation Hannah. We are all very proud of you and all of your accomplishments. You have grown up to be a wonderful, smart, talented happy young lady. Good luck with your future we will be behind you all the way.

Love, Mom, Dad & Justin Crimson 05.30.12 |

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Senior PREVIOUS

40| Crimson 05.30.12

Casey Punches Zoe Ruz

Jason Moscato

Congratulations, Kalyn! From the day you were born you have brought us so much pride and joy. We know you will reach all your goals in life. We wish you all the best.

Love, Mom, Dad & Danny

Well Zoe, I think this picture says it all, you came in this world to “live” it and that you have done. So excited to see what God has in store.

We love you, Mom, Dad, John & Ally

Dear Sweet Natalie Anne, Thank you for always making us so very proud. We love your nurturing soul.

We are so excited to see you continue to shine at CSUN and accomplish wonderful things out in the big world.

You have been our dream come true since the day you were born.

Happy bright future, all our love, Mom, Dad, Nadine

Natalie Trudeau

Andrew Paul Megan Rodrigues

Ryan Morrison

Taylor, I could not be more proud of you as an individual and for all that you have accomplished. I know that this is only the start of the wonderful things that will come your way at Mt. St. Mary’s College and in the amazing career that will follow.

I love you with all of my heart!

Love, Mom

Congratulations Meggie!

We are so proud of you & all that you’ve accomplished as a Bearcat following your journalism dream as Co-Editor in-Chief with Crimson and your school spirit by cheering at football games as Stunt Captain. As you graduate, we will miss you, but know you will be having the time of your life at Cal Poly-SLO – GO MUSTANGS! Love, Mom, Dad and Lauren

From the little guy with all the “what if ” questions to the young man who stand before us now blue eyes radiating his humor and humanity, we are most proud of the person you’ve become.

Son: May your imagination take you to soaring heights of success.

We love you very much.

Dad & Mom

You are awesome! You have amazed us since the day you were born. What a privilege to watch you grow as a writer from dinosaur stories to Co-Editor-in-Chief of Crimson. We are so very proud of you and all you have accomplished. Oklahoma University is lucky to gain such a smart and beautiful girl. We know you will continue to shine each and every day. We love you so very, very much! Boomer Sooner! Love, Mom, Dad and Alec

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J, You are at the start of a long road that will take you on many great adventures.

Congratulations, your hard work is paying off. Love you! Mom & Eric A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that ‘individuality’ is the key to success. -Robert Orben

J Young

Congratulations Daniel! It has been amazing watching you become the young man you are today and are so proud of all your accomplishments! We are so blessed to have such an incredible son and wish you the best in anything you do!

Love you much mucho, Mom & Pops

To our beautiful shining star- Brielle.

Congratulations! We’re so proud of the young woman that you’ve become.

We celebrate you and your many accomplishments, and wish you the utmost success at Babson College and in life. May your heart always be filled with love.

Love always, Mom, Dad, Angelica, Gabriel & Seth

Congratulations on all your accomplishments! You have set yourself up for a bright future, like we knew you would. Always follow your dreams! We love you!

Love, Mom, Dad & Hannah

Kalyn Taborski

Daniel Valle Emily Schoennauer

Congratulations, Emily!

It’s been a Joy watching you grow up from a little “Pog Bucket”, to a beautiful young lady! Whether at school or in the pool, we are so very proud of you!

Love, Mom & Dad

Congratulations Lauren Brookie!

We are so proud of you & all that you’ve accomplished as a Bearcat from water polo to raising sheep to Editor of the yearbook and starting your own photography business. As you graduate, we will miss you, but know you will have a great time at Fresno State & a fabulous future – GO BULLDOGS! Love, Mom, Dad and Megan

Jason ~ the Healing One Love, discipline, responsibility, honor, and perseverance. I meant to teach these to you, but instead you taught me. I am as amazed by you as the day God allowed me to hold you in my arms. The world is now yours to explore, may your journey be fulfilling.

Your fan club, Mom, Joseph, Juliet, and Gramma

Kathryn Wingfield

You spoke your first word to me at two months old when you looked up and said “Okay!” and you have been entertaining me ever since. You are wonderful, supportive, responsible, loving, and gracious no matter what you have to face in life. I truly, from the bottom of my heart, feel you are the best boy in the world.

Brooklynn, Great job, we are all so proud of you for everything you have done. We know you will do great in the future.

Love, Dad, Mom & Blair, Rob, Ben, Tim & Jason

Lauren Rodrigues Brooklynn Orlando

Monty Renfrow

Ben Oliver

Congratulations Benny! We are so proud of you! Follow your dreams but never lose sight. We love you!

Dad, Mom, Jono & Josh

Congratulations, Ryan! Watching you sort Lego’s by colors when you were one, design buildings and landscapes when you were 10, and pinstripe designs and cars when you were 13, I knew you had a future in art. We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments, and know that this is just the beginning for you! All our love and blessings, Mom, Jeff & Jesse

Brielle Silletti

Jessica Mihelic

Congratulations, Jessica! We are so proud of you and all you have accomplished. You have worked hard in your classes and in your sports. We will miss watching you compete, but know you will do well and be successful at UC San Diego! We love you!

Mom & Dad

Taylor Velarde

Shoutouts

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You’ve made these last two years of high school the best they could be for me! You’re not just my best friend, you’re my favorite sister and I’m happy I get to have you for another year.

Justus Cambron

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Congratulations! It seems such a short time ago that you were taking your first step. Now, you are taking your next first step as you graduate and step into adulthood. We wish you the very best in all you pursue.

Zion

With love, Everyone’s favorite Asian Daniel Hipp

Love, John, Betty, Reese

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, a s n p dm a m , u k c n a s p i p i t r k T n h s o i Z a le nto a

GEO class backpacks don’t look like yours In the cool darkness of May 18 a group of 30 seniors and 10 chaperones met at 3:30 a.m. at the PRHS flag pole. They set out on the 10 hour, 550 mile drive with science teacher Mark Dimaggio to Zion National Park in Utah for a 50 mile-over-eight-days-and-seven-nights backpacking . The trip to Zion is an annual part of Dimaggio’s GEO (Global Economic Solutions) class. Each participant must pack everything they will need to survive and thrive in the backcountry of Zion’s 229 square miles. A focal theme of the trip is to “leave no trace,” focusing on minimum impact wilderness techniques during their adventure. The GEO class

is striving to push past “leave no trace” —even improve the environment by picking up trash and cleaning up the impact of previous groups of people. Everything that is packed in must also be packed out, including extra food and even toilet paper. Each pack weighs between 25 and 30 pounds on average, and must include all of the pictured items.

Not pictured: A week’s worth of food, pocket knife, rain gear, and extra clothing.

PINK SLIME

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Filling Your Food: “Pink Slime” in meat causes national controversy Jelly-filled donuts, burritos, and sushi rolls are just a few of the entrees that we enjoy because of the scrumptious sustenance stuffed inside their deceivingly plain exteriors. But as soon as the word got out that beef was also hiding a secret, and maybe not-so-scrumptious ingredient, consumers across the nation became wary of what they were eating. ”Pink slime,” a term that was first uttered over e-mail in 2002

by USDA microbiologist Gerald Zirnstein, refers to the collective mass of fat, sinew, and connective tissue that is boiled down into a liquid-like form, and then treated with ammonia. The ammonia is meant to kill bacteria that cause E. coli, salmonella, and other food-transferred sicknesses. “Pink slime” is not the technical term for what is otherwise is called “lean beef fillers” or “Lean Finely Textured Beef ” or ‘LFTB.’ Scientists such as Zirnstein argue that such fillers are not only disgusting- but unsafe to consume. In an interview with ABC News, Zirnstein commented more about the reasons for his coining of the controversial term. He explained that once the fats, tissues, and sinew is heated, “spoilage bacteria” and “pathogens” become more present. In order to reverse the problem, ammonia is added. According the Zirnstein, the chemical not only kills bacteria—it makes the meat retain a pink color.

‘If that ammonia wasn’t there, if it wasn’t added to kill the bacteria, it would also come in as a gray product and you’d have gray slime. Gray slime!” Zirnstein told ABC news.

The market reacted to Zirnstein’s concerns, and the meat industry scrambled to patch up their damaged reputation.

by Laura Callahan, Health Editor and Emily Cone, Managing Editor

PINK SLIME FAST FACTS

- “Pink Slime” is a slang term for what is actually called “Lean Finely Textured Beef.”

- McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Burger King stopped using “Pink Slime” in December 2011, according to www.pinkslime.biz - Lean Finely Textured Beef is 100 percent edible.

- “70 percent of ground beef sold in U.S. supermarkets contains pink slime,” according to ABC News.

Safeway, Wendy’s, and numerous other companies either removed “pink slime” ground beef from their selection or publicly announced that they did not carry any of the frownedupon flesh.

However, the LFTB aren’t fillers at all, but rather trimmings of beef with fat attached to them -- just like the fat you cut off a steak.

The beef industry is still arguing against what they call the “myth” of pink slime. In fact, if “pink slime” is googled, the first option is an ad by “beefisbeef.com” entitled, “The Facts About Pink Slime—Get the Facts.” When you visit the page, eight

“myths” of “pink slime” are debunked. Everything from what lean beef fillers contain, to the inaccuracy of the slimy, flamingocolored pictures of lean beef fillers circulating the internet is refuted not only on beefisbeef.com, but numerous other sites.

Meat companies claim that the media is to blame for the beefing up the hype surrounding the “pink slime” case.

“Although visually [Lean Finely Textured Beef] isn’t very appealing; it’s just that, simply beef. Not only is LFTB safe for consumption, but an important aspect of producing enough food for a growing population, and is a prime example of American agricultural diversity and productivity,” said Paso Robles FFA chapter Vice President, Branson Medeiros, who has raised about six steers. “Being able to separate all parts of usable beef from a carcass is a very productive method of being non-wasteful.”

Despite the rumors depicting “Pink Slime” as just fillers, all lean beef trimmings are 100% USDA inspected. In fact, 90% lean beef is nutritionally identical to 10% fat ground beef. As for the spritz of ammonia found in LFTB, the FDA has declared it Generally Recognized as Safe since 1974. As the ammonia combines with the beef ’s natural moisture it forms ammonium hydroxide, “a natural compound found in our own bodies,” according to www.beefisbeef.com.

But the controversy surrounding “Pink Slime” or the politically correct term, lean finely textured beef, continues to boil among meat enthusiasts around.

SUNBURNS: BY THE NUMBERS “Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen,” is what we always hear our parents, friends, and coaches say whenever we go outside in the summer. How many truly listen though? Keeping your skin healthy over the summer is easy with just a few tricks. — Angela Lorenzo, World Editor

80 30

Percent of UV rays are exposed over the summer season.

—Web MD

93

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Percent of UV rays that SPF 15 protects against.

—Web Md

SPF 30 protects against 97% of UV rays.

—Web MD

15

The sun’s UV rays can damage unprotected skin in only fifteen minutes.

—Fox News

8 18 The number of glasses of water needed to rehydrate your skin.

—Skimbaco

Paso Robles High School

80 percent of UV ray exposure occurs before the age of 18.

—Web MD

Graphic illustration by Ryan Morrison

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PRHS participates in a cross-country bike ride

by Nicolette Jolicoeur, Managing Editor, and Kelly Munns, Editorial Editor

For approximately 20 days, BCASE advisor Mark DiMaggio and 2011 graduate Devon Lambert will be using the land to help their friends in the water.

DiMaggio and Lambert are promoting awareness of shark finning. Shark finning is the process in which fishermen capture sharks, remove their fins, and push them back into the ocean to suffocate or be eaten due to their inability to swim away. The fins are treasured for the delicacy of shark fin soup and medical cures, mostly in China and Costa Rica and its territories. The shark fin soup isn’t a popular item, but the feeling of prestige it gives some individuals makes it desirable.

The duo will be riding about 1,200 miles, from Colorado Springs, Colo. to Harrodsburg, KY., averaging about 55 miles a day on their “Spinning to End Finning” campaign beginning June 15. On the journey, they will be speaking to small community groups about shark finning and how those small communities can help to end the finning. They hope to raise approximately $10,000 through pledges to send to non-profit organizations like Pretoma and ARCAE located in Costa Rica that try to put the brakes to finning.

“I’m most excited to be seeing a part of the country I haven’t seen, to be riding my bike for this huge distance and promoting this cause, and to be riding with one of my best friends, Mark [Dimaggio],” Lambert says, who was BCASE’s 2010-2011 president.

“I’ve been riding between 300 to 400 miles a month [to prepare],” DiMaggio said, who rode 1,200 miles the

summer of 2010 from Oregon to Colorado in 24 days.

To raise awareness, DiMaggio published articles relating to finning in local newspapers including The Tribune, Paso Robles Press, and The Cambrian. Posters were also hung around the county as well as starting a facebook like page. T-shirts, stickers, and wristbands are also available.

Finding an end to finning is so important to these environmentalists because sharks are now on the brink of extinction. Ecologically speaking, this would be a disaster.

Once an ecosystem loses its top predator, the entire chain can fall apart. And seeing that the ocean is the world’s largest carbon sink, this could have awful repercussions for humans.

“Stopping shark finning would be just amazing. It would be a huge step in the right direction for humanity... Sharks are thought to be these horrendous and scary creatures but they aren’t! And people don’t quite understand that because of the media. So when shark finning is brought up, people don’t understand how terrible it is because they are scared of sharks! We are striving towards raising awareness that sharks are amazing organisms and need to be protected. Ninety percent of shark species have vanished because of shark finning...that’s just insane. It needs to be stopped because shark populations are plummeting and the marine world will go completely out of whack without sharks.

It also needs to be stopped because it’s such a terrible thing to do! I mean after these people fin sharks, they throw them back into the ocean to either die of starvation or be eaten alive,” said PRHS Class of 2010 graduate Holly Mondo, who is responsible

for all of the money the fundraiser receives. “[This trip is] an opportunity to promote a great cause,” said Lambert. “I think it’s essential that people stand up for what they believe in, and this trip is my way of doing that.” The former bearcat now attends UC Davis studying Conservation Biology.

“Once we became aware of the issue of shark finning, we struggled for a while of what to do and how we could help as a couple of people in Paso,” biology teacher Gaylene Ewing said, who has been working steadily along with DiMaggio on setting up the website, endfinning.com, where more information can be found and their efforts to end the finning. During the trip, DiMaggio will be blogging almost daily.

“The website is being updated all the time and [Dimaggio] and [Lambert] keep up with their blogs. We want to make sure our supporters know whats going on with the ride, so the website is super important and we want to always keep it up to date,” Mondo says, who has been working very closely with Dimaggio, Lambert and Ewing.

“I think this campaign is just as much about raising money as it is awareness,” Ewing says, who guarantees 100 percent of the profits will be donated to Pretoma and ARCAE split equally.

“They do some much with so little money,” she said. Last year alone, they earned close to $3,000.

On June 3rd, a kickoff benefit event to end shark finning will be held at Mondo Vineyards from 1-4 p.m. Admission to the event is $12 where there will be light food, wine, and live music.

World’s use of capital punishment differs

by Courtney Thompson, A&E Editor

A Norwegian man pulled out a gun and killed 69 people at a youth camp. This same man set off a bomb in a public place, killing another eight. He has the blood of 77 people on his sociopathic hands, but since Norway outlaws the death penalty, this man will face only the charges of imprisonment.

The death penalty was established in 18th century B.C. in King Hammurabi’s code for Babylon. Now, in 2012, the death penalty is a controversial topic and the world has mixed feelings about using capital punishment.

America’s use of capital punishment was influenced by Britain. When settlers came from Europe, they brought this tactic on their voyage. The first recorded execution on American soil was of Captain George Kendall in the Jamestown colony, Virginia during 1608, according to deathpenaltyinfo.org. He was executed for being a spy for Spain.

In the 1840s, the death penalty started to become controversial. Michigan was the first to ban capital punishment followed by Rhode Island and Wisconsin. The countries of Venezuela, Portugal, Netherlands, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Ecuador follow suit.

Though not all the states abolished the death penalty, the rates decreased drastically.

According to deathpenaltyinfo.org, there were 1,289 executions in the 1940s, there were 715 in the 1950s, and the number fell even further, to only 191, from 1960 to 1976. In 1966, a poll was taken and only 42% of Americans showed support to the death penalty.

After years of debating, in 1982, the first lethal injection was used in Tennessee. It is still used

44| Crimson 05.30.12

because it is said to be more humane than alternatives: beheading, electrocution, gas chamber, etc.

The leading country using capital punishment the is China, where they kill 1000s every year, according to Amnesty International. There offenses when the death penalty is used are far stricter than the US. The use capital punishment for tax fraud, drug smuggling, etc. It is followed by Iran, North Korea, Yemen, and then the United States.

Honors Modern World History teacher Angela Logan’s grandmother is a rights activists.

“My grandmother holds candle light vigils every time someone is injected because she is part of an anti-death penalty group. I know I have never been in a situation where someone close to me has been killed and I don’t know what I would do in a situation like that, but I feel like the death penalty is never necessary,” said Logan.

If the death penalty was abolished, it would have saves an immense umber of people’s lives.

“There is no way to tell how many of the over 1200 people executed since 1976 may have been innocent,” according to deathpenaltyinfo.org. Since 1973, 140 people placed on death row were eventually dismissed of all charges as evidence emerged.

“So the question becomes, how many innocent people is it permissible to execute? 1, 50, 100? When the states murders strike innocent people they become the monsters they attempt to remove from the society,” explained Ethnic Studies and Video Production teacher, Stanley Cooper.

Graphic illustration by Sierra Mosely

Paso Robles High School

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BEARCATHLETES <<ZANDERSOUZA SPORTS PLAYED: cross country, basketball, track REC ORDS BROKEN: 800m (2011) & 1600m (2012) PR’s: 0:50.6 (400), 1:56.04 (800), 4:18.11 (1600), 8:48 (3000) Photos by Kim Boswell and Amanda Hutchinson

the pack

by Sinéad Schouten, Sports Co-Editor

Not a lot can happen in .26 seconds, but senior Zander Souza found an exception. In this half of a breath, bit of a blink, Souza broke a school record and crowned a 2011 junior track season.

That was only the beginning.

1:56.30 became 1:56.04, and the 800 meter time fell. It was a feat many spend a career dreaming about, but administrators barely had time to fix his name and time into the Gil Asa Gym displays. Only a year later, the mile record was also shattered.

Souza always has been an overachiever on the track, after all.

“You go for that record because it’s a good goal to have. But for me and the other guys on the team, it’s just about bettering your personal times. The two goals just happen to match up,” the varsity veteran said.

“It’s still weird to think that I’m the fastest miler, fastest half-miler that Paso High has ever had. The school has been around for about 100 years. It’s pretty crazy.”

Although the years have morphed Souza from a lion-haired freshman to a buzz cut senior, the smile and up-beat attitude remains the same. But there was a time the star wasn’t leading the pack on the track - or even had a spot on the varsity roster, for that matter.

Souza went out for the Bearcat cross country team his freshman year, unaware that the squad practices through summer.

“The first week of school,” Souza recalled, “I came out here with my long hair, wearing pants, and I first met [head coach Ivan] Huff. He

46| Crimson 05.30.12

“

“

RUNNIN’

said to me, ‘Yeah, you can be on the team. Ready to run?’ But I he had received letters from other interested colleges, didn’t have any of my gear with me. I was totally embarrassed they had all been addressed to generic titles like “Dear Prospective Athlete” or “Your Son/Daughter.” It was Sac and unprepared.”

Running was no longer a social party. By only the second State that knew his nickname, and that he wasn’t “just workout of the season, Souza experienced “the hardest run another number out of a whole mass of people.” It was then of [his] life,” weaving exhaustingly along the river bed and the deal was sealed.

After an official campus visit, including a stop by being forced to take walk breaks. It was a shock to the system after years of 57 second 400s, dominating the middle school the Olympic-quality track facility, Souza met a future teammate: Arroyo Grande High School runner Emily competition. Things were completely different.

It was a slow climb to the top; countless hours of running Johnson. As the two hit it off fantastically, he emailed hellos were clocked in. But as every athlete knows, it only takes one to roommate DJ Jackson, unaware that introductions were unnecessary. The pair had met two years prior at West Coast break out night to change everything.

Relays during the 800m, where Souza squeaked a win “I was pretty average all during freshman year,” out of a “dead sprint to the finish line.”

Souza said. “And then all of a sudden, at the last All the track kids are slated for neighboring rooms meet, I was on JV and won League. Everyone on the third floor, one big happy family. Everything looked at me like, ‘What the hell?’ We were all was falling into place. surprised.”

The future Hornet is Although his coach begs currently looking forward to differ.

He is very intense, very to making the most out “From his freshman year competitive, doesn't like to lose. of his freshman year. But I knew he had some talent.

That's a good quality. although he has five more He ran cross country, did years of running ahead pretty well, but it was his Ivan Huff, coach and hopefully a professional first year in track that he had sponsorship afterwards quite a bit of success,” Huff there will be one crucial person missing trackside. said, who has been a PRHS coach for generations.

When Souza describes his friendship with Huff as “I was looking forward to the next three years, and “the best relationship the universe has ever seen,” it they’ve turned out like I actually imagined.” has to be special.

Souza thrived in the following seasons, 4 PAC“Everyone calls him ‘Huff Dad,’” Souza explained, 7 League titles and 6 visits to CIF. An all-around and the license plate of the coach’s truck is the sevenathlete, he ran everything from the exhausting 3000m to anchor of the 4x100m relay. Quickly becoming a lettered nickname. “As me and my teammates got to know local standout, it wasn’t long until Souza proved his name was him, I thought Huff Dad meant that he was an important here to stay. As times fell, so did the records, and a legacy was coach. Now that I’m going to be graduating and he won’t created that hadn’t been seen since former Bearcat distance be my coach anymore, I know what Huff Dad means. It’s literal.” star Travis Hallanan.

And thanks to Huff Dad and a natural helping of talent, “He is very intense, very competitive, doesn’t like to lose.

That’s a good quality,” Huff said, who continued to help his the many miles ahead look bright.

“Track is the one thing I want to do,” declared Souza. runner rise through the ranks. Things became more serious when the recruitment letters started coming in. One in “You know how people say things like, ‘What do you do?

Who are you?’ Well, every time I’m lying in bed at night, all particular stood out: Sac State.

“They really knew me because it said, ‘Zander,’” Souza said, I think about is track.”

Now life’s perhaps a dream come true. who prefers his middle name to his given one of Jordan. While Paso Robles High School

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KELLIEREYNOLDS>> SPORTS PLAYED: volleyball, basketball, softball LETTERMAN PATCHES: 26 cUMULATIV E SOFTBALL STATS:

Fielding Percentage: .94475 RBI: 27 Hits: 62 Batting Average: .324

OF DIAMONDS

by Josh Orcutt, Sports Co-Editor

As feet shuffle along the hardwood floor, a flash of crimson is seen as number ten, senior Kellie Reynolds bursts down the court, scores, and flashes the trademark Reynolds smile as she hustles back.

Seen around campus sporting a letterman jacket with an astounding 26 patches, she stands at 5’6, every inch of her a classic athlete. Her hardwork and dedication to each of her three sports earns the respect she receives on campus.

“I do look up to Kellie because she is an outstanding athlete, and is an humble yet inspiring leader. She’s like a sister to me.” said junior Jessica Zamudio who has been a teammate of Reynolds since sophomore year.

To the average bystander that doesn’t know Kellie, she may come off a little cocky, but “it’s out of good nature. I guess you could say that my personality comes off as comes super competitive because I don’t like to lose. I mean being a leader is just kind of a role I’ve always taken in every sport I play. As the shortstop on the softball team, you kind of have to be a leader.” said Reynolds.

Reynolds has constantly performed at high level through her high school career, four years of varsity softball to her name, starting at both shortstop and pitcher. As of April 16, she was hitting .480, with 15 RBI, five doubles and one triple. As shortstop, she had owned a .990 fielding percentage. In her junior year, she hit .354 with 35 hits, and 21 stolen bases. “[Softball is just] something that we do as a family. My brother played baseball, my dad coaches baseball, my mom coaches softball. It’s just something we’ve always done, and I’m super competitive, so it’s just one of those horse races. [My fighting spirit] just gets to come out. It’s a team sport, but also it’s an individual sport. We go for our own batting averages, and other www.crimsonnews.org

“

“

QUEEN

stats like that, so I kind of like that I can be an individual yet have a team to back me all the way.” said Reynolds.

Reynolds has been playing softball ever since she can remember.

Both of her parents, Val and Jerry Reynolds, have coached softball or baseball for a combined 60 years, creating a home environment very beneficial to her development as a player.

Photos by Torey Wise, and Kim Boswell “Because I’ve always been in the dugouts with my parents, always on the field, that’s what I was going to do. When I grew up, dominating in every sport she plays: volleyball, basketball, [they were] just like ‘You’re going to play sports.’ It wasn’t really a and softball.

In volleyball, she played setter, recording 78 digs, 454 choice. I mean it’s really hard [to have my mom as a coach]. I can’t assists, and 18 attacks/kills. have a bad game without hearing about it. At During her final basketball season, she averaged 2.8 the game, on the way home from the game, in points per game, 2.5 assists per game, and 2.9 rebounds per the vans, then I have to replay it with my dad. So game, playing the point guard position. Over the season, it’s hard, but I love it. I wouldn’t want to play for Reynolds recorded 32 steals. Even though she was not a anyone else in high school. She’s pushed me to captain, she functioned like one. She my limit, that I think she can. She’s got me ready My mom has pushed me to the limit controlled the tempo of her team, and the game. to do my dream, so I that I think she can. She has got me “She always had a great attitude wouldn’t change things.” ready to do my dream. I wouldn't during practice, made sure everyone said Reynolds. change things. knew what they were doing in plays, Reynolds signed her Kellie Reynolds, Senior and helped people who were having National Letter of Intent trouble. She always made us compete in drills, and was a to Stony Brook University, a Division I school great all around player,” said fellow basketball player senior in New York, on Apr. 16. Reynolds signed Meredith Masch. on a partial scholarship to play softball for With her high school sports career over, Reynolds looks the Seawolves, where she plans to play in the to her future: softball. Her whole life has been leading up outfield rather than shortstop. As the captain to now, and her future is now in her hands. She won’t be in of the Bearcats softball team, she led them to an California anymore.

13-11 overall record, with a 5-7 record in PACWhen Reynolds was asked she would take away from 7 League Competition, and a CIF one game run. She said that the decision to play outfield was not her own, it was the Stony Brook her time with the PRHS softball team, Reynolds said the coach’s’ decision. In college, they like to take middle infielders and friendships she has developed have definitely been the put them into the outfield because usually the middle infielders highlight of her high school years, adding that dedication, perseverance and hard work will pay off for her teammates have the greatest athleticism stated Reynolds.

“I’ve always wanted to go to college in New York,” said the in the upcoming years.

“We are extremely close on this team, unlike any other future Sea Wolf, who made a verbal commitment to Stony Brook last November. “It’s always been a dream of mine. And the fact team I have ever been on,” said Reynolds, who also played that it is Division I is a big deal to me. When I visited, I fell in love volleyball and basketball for the Bearcats. “We have never with the school, the team, the coaches. Honestly, I couldn’t have had any issues and I am going to miss these girls a lot.

[Softball is just something] that I’ve always done, and always picked a better place. It’s all I’ve ever wanted in a college.”

She doesn’t just play softball. Reynolds is a three sport athlete, will.” concluded Reynolds.

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CALLING IN BACKUP: (Top Right) Junior Riley Edwards catches a ball during a game this season. She wears number 15, and this is her first year on varsity.

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SPRING SPORT WRAP UP

by Josh Orcutt, Sports Co-Editor 6-4-3 DOUBLE PLAY: (Top Left)Senior Josh Ramirez pulls the second half of a double play.

He only played a couple of games at second base, because of a cast.

Read more on page 51 about his season with his cast.

Softball

15-13 overall record 11-7 league record 4461 National rank 429 state(CA) rank Tied for 2nd in PAC-7 STARS:

Senior pitchers Mac Stuart and Josh Ramirez

Boys 2nd in PAC-7 STARS

13-11 overall record 5-7 league record 1271 National rank 252 state(CA) rank 4th in PAC-7 STARS: Senior shortstop Kellie Reynolds and junior pitcher Jenna Wookey

Track & Field

Senior distance runner Zander Souza and senior thrower David Katz

GIRLS 3rd in PAC-7 STARS

Sophomore hurdler Michaela Howard and sprinter Sammie Anderson

Boys Tennis

5th 4-8 overall record in PAC-7 3-6 PAC-7 Record STARS: Photos by Josh Orcutt, Amanda Hutchinson, and Sierra Mosely Photos used with permission by Scott Richards

Swimming/Diving Boys 4th in PAC-7 STARS

Girls 2nd in PAC-7 STARS

Boys Golf 6th in PAC-7 STAR:

Junior Cooper Austin32-6 record Senior Ricky Lloyd and Levi Le

Diving STARS

Junior Amanda GritzfeldSophomore Ryan Springer- PAC-7 League Champion and Junior Collin Moore undefeated in League Sophomore Taylor Page Carter Sophomore Amanda Oliver Senior Devon Nicklas 50| Crimson 05.30.12 Paso Robles High School

GUNNIN’ IT:(Side Right) Sophomore Michaela Howard runs the hurdles. She broke the Frosh-Soph 300m hurdles record with a time of 50.01.

Junior Tyler King

JUST KEEP SWIMMIN’: (Bottom Right): Junior Brooke Treatch swims backstroke in the PAC-7 Swim Finals on May 2nd.

Treatch has been swimming varsity for one year now.

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Technically Speaking: Pitching Senior pitcher Mac Stuart FOUR SEAM FIRE:

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Senior Celebration

TOWARDS THE PLATE: With the follow through, the pitcher gets more momentum towards the throw, more rotation on the ball which increases both the velocity and the movement, and it also allows the pitcher to shift his weight completely allowing him to get in position to field the ball if necessary.

The position of the fingers, how they wrap around the laces, determines what pitch is thrown. The fastball, otherwise known as the “four-seam”, is called such because of the grip. The index finger and the middle finger both go across the seams vertically, going across two seams a finger, for a total of four. Stuart’s fastball has achieved a top velocity this season of 82 miles per hour. His favorite pitch is his fastball.

Bio Blast HIPS DON’T LIE:

SNAP CRACKLE POP: Part of the rotation of the ball receives is from the shoulder. The snap of the elbow just as the arm is coming forward allows the ball to rotate. This also creates some velocity as the elbow allows the arm to flow cleanly and the wrist to snap and follow through cleanly.

Just before the landing leg hits the ground (foot strike) the foot points begins to point more toward the catcher, which helps open up your hips. The hips will open up and start rotating before the upper body does. The hips then trigger the core by sending energy through your upper body eventually to release of the baseball.

Over four total years, senior Mac Stuart has been consistently performing at a high level, playing varsity all four years.

Batting stats .390 13 89 139 26 32

batting average

homeruns

runs batted in hits

stolen bases doubles

Pitching stats 14-9 162.4 2.96 125 128

overall record

PUSHING POWER: The plant of the leg develops lots of power. The thighs push into the ground, and allow the hips to open up and twist, transferring the power through the arm to wrist to ball. This effect is created during the plant and pushing down of the thighs.

innings pitched

earned run average

walks strikeouts

—Josh Orcutt, Sports Co-Editor

Playing with fire: Ramirez risks season and pitches with a cast

Photos by Josh Orcutt, and Sierra Mosely

When fireball throwing senior pitcher Josh Ramirez got news that his senior season would either be cut short or hampered with a cast, Ramirez made a choice that would affect his season in ways never seen before. In Paso history, never before has a PRHS athlete pitched with a cast.

On April 3, Ramirez had an MRI that showed that he had three serious fractures in his non-throwing hand. Ramirez was distraught.

Ramirez’s doctor said that if the hand was not cast, the fractured hamate bone would act like a saw and cut throw his tendons said Ramirez’s mother in a Facebook post. Ramirez thought his season was over.

However, he took the cast as a blessing, and eventually started to like having it as pitching companion. “I actually got comfortable,” said Ramirez, who threw five games with his new accessory.

He went 2-2 in four starts, recording 12 strikeouts and allowing an opposing batting average of .230. Ramirez also had a 0.94 ERA (Earned Run Average), and pitched 40 innings over those five appearances.

Ramirez looked towards his future, with his senior season hardship behind him. Ramirez plans to continue to play baseball. His current teammates will always be close friends, and have his back.

“My teammates were behind me all season. They covered it for me, they made the plays that they knew I couldn’t make,” Ramirez concluded. www.crimsonnews.org

Paso Robles High School

Crimson 05.30.12 |

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Photo Essay Sports

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HANG LOOSE : (Left)Senior Emma Pants shows her enthusiasm as the Santa Barbara band “False Puppets” plays a set. It was the group’s second visit to PRHS. Songs included Green Day and Lady Gaga covers.

FIGHTING FUN: (Far left) Two seniors attempt victory on an inflated battlefield. Approximatley 400 students were welcome to use the three inflated activities throughout the day. Seniors were also fed meals and given time to use the field for recreation.

SINGING PUPPET: (Middle) Sevente­­en-year-old bassist Channing Peake sings into the microphone during his band’s performance on April 30. The band, “False Puppet” traveled from Santa Barbars to sing exclusively to the senior class.

QUITE THE RIDE: (Below) Seniors Tiffany Tedeschi and James Potter imagine themselves climbing upward while on a rollercoaster ride. Both students, along with nearly 30 others were hypnotized on May 4.

THAT LOOK IN YOUR EYE: Senior Alex Lambrith stares blankly into a crowd of her peers while under hypnosis. Lambrith and others were hypnotized for approximately an hour. They pretended to be FBI agents, pop stars, and celebrities among other things.

“SLEEP!”: (Bottom left) Seniors (from left) Trinity Smith, Chuchi Gonzales, and Marisa Martinez take turns being hypnotized. The hypnotist vistited PRHS on May 4, and entertained the senior class with his mind-altering show.

Photos by Lauren Rodrigues and Kim Boswell

52 | Crimson 05.30.12

Paso Robles High School

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